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Connecticut Employers and Entrepreneurs Weigh in on Legalization

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As Connecticut makes progress with legalizing recreational marijuana, they’ve got a few big questions to answer. One of which is: Will there be a clause included for those using recreational marijuana on their own time that doesn’t risk job loss? Advocates are hoping so.

Some believe that recreational legalization will decrease the workforce for industries like construction, according to Hartford Business. If employers continue to base employment status and/or job opportunities upon clean drug tests (even if recreational marijuana becomes legal), the pool of available workers can decrease to dangerous levels. Senate Bill 11 is in the hands of the Connecticut Judiciary Committee.

Jonathan Harris of the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection said, “With recreational, I do think it’s inevitable that at some point the state will have to figure out what sort of regulatory model we want, because it’s going to be all around us.”

It is estimated that recreational marijuana could bring an additional $237-million in tax revenues in its first 30 months. Governor Dannel Malloy is strongly opposed to legal recreational marijuana and has already said he will veto the legislation should it make it to his desk.

The industry is risky. Many have spoken both in favor and against recreational marijuana but the state’s cultivators and dispensaries are maintaining low-key status. Not all towns are supportive of legal recreational marijuana, and advocating for it in a town of opposition may drive those businesses and private cultivators out.

Kris Krane of 4Front Advisors said, “This is a risky enough business as it is, so why add another layer of risk there?”

Laurie Zrenda is co-owner of Thames Valley Alternative Relief dispensary. She is an owner that would like to branch out into the recreational marijuana industry, should it be given a chance in her state. Zrenda is a pharmacist.

Zrenda said, “We’ve talked about it and I think we would certainly look into it. It’s an extension of what we’re already doing… [Legalization] could bring more scrutiny from the federal government. Maybe in a way, it’d be better if we stayed medical.”

Discussions are expected to continue regarding Senate Bill 11 along with amendments/inclusions regarding marijuana and employment.