Cohen Votes 'No' On Legal Marijuana Bill That Passed CT Senate

HARTFORD, CT —State Sen. Christine Cohen, a Democrat from Guilford, was one of the 17 lawmakers who overnight Tuesday voted against passage of the recreational marijuana bill, one of six Democrats to say nay. The measure passed by two votes and now heads to the House.

Cohen represents Madison, Branford, North Branford, Guilford, Durham and Killingworth.

Under the bill, people 21 and over can purchase and possess marijuana and have up to one and a half ounces in their possession and five in their home. If it passes the House and is signed into law, the measure would become effective Jan. 1, 2022.

Before dawn Tuesday, Gov. Ned Lamont praised its passage in the state Senate noting the legislation creates “a comprehensive framework for a securely regulated market that prioritizes public health, public safety, social justice, and equity.”

“The war on cannabis, which was at its core a war on people in Black and Brown communities, not only caused injustices and increased disparities in our state, it did little to protect public health and safety,” Lamont said, adding the measure is the result of hard work that creates “a comprehensive framework for a securely regulated market that prioritizes public health, public safety, social justice, and equity.”

The legislation, Senate Bill 1118, next needs to be approved by the Connecticut House of Representatives before it can be transferred to Governor Lamont’s desk and signed into law.

According to the near 300-page bill and a report from the CT Mirror, the measure, if signed into law, would remove some pot convictions and “create a petition process to expunge others.”

It’s unlikely there will be pot shops before late spring of 2022 as the license for growers and retailers is a process.

“Half of the initial licenses for growers and retailers would be reserved for social equity applicants, defined in the bill as a business with at least a 65 percent ownership by someone of limited income and a resident of an area disproportionately impacted by drug enforcement,” the Mirror reported and the bill explains.

Lamont said the legislation will “help eliminate the dangerous, unregulated market and support a new growing sector of our economy, which will lead to jobs and growth.”

“This measure is comprehensive, protects our children and the most vulnerable in our communities, and will be viewed as a national model for regulating the adult-use cannabis marketplace,” the governor said.

If signed into law, there will be two license lotteries, with the initial one for social equity applicants. The lottery fee is $1,000 and licenses will cost $3 million, the Mirror reported and the bill reads.

Cohen's 'no' vote

Cohen was one of six Democrats to vote against the bill. Cohen was candid in her opposition remarks about concerns she has related to substance abuse, dependency and addiction.

“As somebody who grew up the daughter of an alcoholic, and was surrounded by addicts all my life, I know all too well the impact of drug and alcohol abuse. It tears families apart, it changes the lives of users and everyone who touches them,” she said explaining her ‘No’ vote.

“I am the mother of a smart, athletic, and very capable 16 year old son, and of equally smart, athletic and capable daughters that are 13 and 11. They are going to do great things that I can only imagine. But I worry incessantly about their health, and I wouldn’t be truthful if I didn’t say I have to worry about them dealing with the illness of addiction.”

In a Facebook post, she explained further.

Madison GOP Commends Cohen

Cohen’s no vote was praised by Madison Republicans. They have set their sights on bringing 101st District Rep. John Michael Parker, Democrat serving Madison and Durham, to the nay column.

Addressing Cohen, Madison Republicans said: "Senator, thank you for voting against the recreational marijuana bill," the group posted to Facebook noting that agencies including Madison Youth and Family Services stood opposed to marijuana legalization stemming "from the health and welfare of our community..."

But Republicans, in lauding Cohen for her 'no' vote, also said "legalization doesn’t make much financial sense."

Then, the GOP from Madison asked Parker to "join Senator Cohen in voting against recreational legalization."