Hartford City Council Is in Favor of Legalizing Marijuana

A unanimous vote at the Hartford City Council approved a resolution showing support of recreational marijuana. The state legislature reconvenes in February and the council is urging them to take up the issue. The resolution requires the city to perform an economic impact study specifically for its city to estimate what the potential industry would be like.

Councilwoman Wildaliz Bermudez sponsored the resolution, according to Hartford Courant. The resolution also includes measures to “ensure racial equity in ownership and employment” in the new industry – should legislation pass. The recent Sacred Heart University returning results of 71-percent resident support has increased the urgency of recreational legalization a little more.

Sam Tracy of Connecticut Coalition to Regulate Marijuana, said, “The legislature should heed this growing chorus for change and make regulating marijuana for adults a priority in 2018.”

Bermudez said, “At this point it’s no longer a matter of if it will become legal, but when and how it will get regulated.”

Legislators remain hesitant. Several bills died in the legislative process in 2017. The good news is that Governor Malloy isn’t running for re-election. He isn’t supportive of expanding the medical marijuana program. Candidates for the seat are beyond open to expansions.

Middletown Mayor Dan Drew supports legalization.

He said, “Yes, I will sign a bill to legalize it.”

Former Department of Consumer Protection commissioner, Jonathan Harris, also supports legalization. He just wants to see it done in a deliberate/thoughtful manner.

Harris said, “We need to grapple with this issue…but we do have to do it because it’s good public policy.”

Almost every Republican at last week’s debate voiced opposition for recreational legalization. They don’t want marijuana legalized amidst an opioid overdose epidemic.

Revenue is a major factor in those supporting legalization. The state needs the revenue. Republicans aren’t on board with the revenue boosting attractiveness of legalization.

Getting a ballot question put out to voters will likely be the responsibility of the state’s General Assembly.