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CT to Become 19th State to Legalize Marijuana

CT Cannabis

A bill to legalize, tax, and regulate cannabis for adults 21 and over has received final approval from both chambers of Connecticut’s legislature. S.B. 1201, which is sponsored by Senate President Martin Looney and House Speaker Matt Ritter, passed the Senate and House of Representatives by margins of 16-11 and 76-62, respectively. The bill now heads to the desk of Gov. Ned Lamont, who is expected to sign it into law.

With the governor’s signature, Connecticut will become the 19th state to legalize cannabis for adults 21 and over and the fourth state to adopt a legalization policy this year alone, joining New Mexico, New York, and Virginia.

The Marijuana Policy Project played a leading role in the fight to reform Connecticut’s cannabis laws.

“Connecticut is on the cusp of becoming the latest state to legalize cannabis,” said MPP. “This year has shown us that state legislatures are capable of rising to the challenge to end cannabis prohibition. A supermajority of Americans have made it clear that they favor a system of legalization and regulation rather than the status quo. This victory will add to the momentum towards cannabis policy reform in other states and at the federal level.”

S.B. 1201 will legalize possession of up to one and a half ounces for adults 21 and over. The bill will go into effect on July 1, 2021, with legal sales anticipated by May 2022. Adults will be allowed to securely cultivate cannabis at home starting July 1, 2023. A full summary of the bill is available here, and a comparison between it and other state legalization laws is available here.