Connecticut Selectman Is Putting up a Fight Against Marijuana Legalization

The battle to legalize marijuana in Connecticut has been a heated one. Adding to the anti-legalization debate is First Selectman Rudy Marconi. He is openly anti-legalization.

The state’s lawmakers have debated legalization throughout this legislative session, according to News Times. The debate, however, isn’t over. A public hearing was held in March, pointing out that Connecticut has a budget deficit that recreational marijuana taxes can help alleviate.

Marconi said, “Normally with any drug in our country…it gets approved and it’s tested to see what the complications might be. With marijuana, that process has completely been eliminated and it’s going directly to the consumer. I think that’s an unsafe way to go.”

The bill being considered includes provisions for laboratories to test marijuana products before they go to consumers. Marconi doesn’t believe that the financial benefit of legal marijuana to the state outweighs the risks of legalization.

He said, “You’re stepping over $20 bills to pick up a nickel. Is it worth rushing forward and legalizing a drug for such a small amount of money?”

It is estimated that Connecticut could gain $13 million in marijuana tax revenue in its first six months. In its first full year, it’s estimated that the state could collect $64 million in tax revenue.

Marconi agrees that marijuana does have some medicinal benefits. He also believes that the amount of research available is lacking. He’d prefer for marijuana to be sold via pharmacy.

On Wednesday, Marconi said that recreational legalization may be imminent, but still concludes that more research is required.

He said, “Look, we may end up at the end of the day legalizing marijuana for those 21 years and older. But, let’s do so in an intelligent way and a logical way and do our research to make sure we’re not hurting anyone.”

It seems that Marconi is a bit on the fence from a few contradicting comments both supporting and opposing marijuana. So far, Connecticut lawmakers have held focused discussions and seem to have enough support to pass recreational legalization, with a bit of tweaking to the proposed legislation as written.