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Fiscal Woes Forcing Connecticut to Seriously Consider Legalizing Marijuana

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Connecticut is still facing major fiscal discrepancies, which are prompting lawmakers to seriously consider legalizing recreational marijuana. It’s being given its most serious consideration to date in the state.

Several bills are being milled over in the state’s Legislature, according to WTNH 8 News. What is good for these bills is that several do have bipartisan support in respect to both retail sales and cultivation of recreational marijuana. Right now, the bills moving through the General Assembly.

Representative Robyn Porter said, “Why should we continue to give business opportunities to violent criminals who don’t pay taxes and follow no regulations?”

Some lawmakers, including Governor Dannel Malloy, want to wait to see what happens in Massachusetts first. Others disagree and argue that the fiscal deficiencies require an answer sooner rather than later, and they believe that recreational marijuana tax revenue could solve part of the state’s shortcomings.

Representative Joe de la Cruz said, “We have Massachusetts. Let them go through the growing pains. We walk into this thing. We take our time. Why do we need to make it legal this year?”

The new fiscal year begins July 1 and Connecticut is facing a $1.7-billion budget deficit. While recreational marijuana sales won’t generate that much in tax revenues, it will at least put a dent in the deficit. According to the state’s Office of Fiscal Analysis, to fund the program and pay its employees, it would cost 14-percent of the tax revenues brought in, leaving 86-percent of those tax revenues to aid the state’s financial crisis.