Prospect Takes Strong Stand Against CT's New Legal Marijuana Law

PROSPECT, CT — On Tuesday Gov. Ned Lamont signed into law a bill legalizing recreational marijuana in Connecticut effective July 1.

Effective July 1, residents 21 and over may possess up to 1.5 ounces of marijuana on their person and up to 5 ounces secured in their home or vehicle. Retail sales will begin May 2022, and residents can start growing their own plants the following year.

Well, the town of Prospect isn't buying it, and the Planning and Zoning Commission approved a resolution banning cannabis establishments in town. The order went into effect on June 17 and lasts at least six months, WTNH News 8 reports.

According to Prospect's resolution, it states that the prohibition ensures that the commission can study the comprehensive state law, research and evaluate the benefits of cannabis establishments as well as the "potential negative impacts they may have on the town of Prospect..."

The prohibition will also allow local residents to be heard on the topic, according to the resolution. The town chose a prohibition over a moratorium because it was concerned that if a moratorium lapsed, then the state bill would trump its own order. The town also felt it needed to act prior to the state law taking effect on July 1.

In an interview with WTNH News 8, Prospect Mayor Robert Chatfield said he supports the action taken by the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Chatfield, who has a long career as a member of the fire department, told News 8 that he is concerned that adolescents will be able to easily access marijuana, and it would lead to a rise of DWI cases.

By saying no to legal marijuana, Prospect would lose out on any tax revenue from marijuana sales.

Chatfield said he's "not afraid to take a stand."

Lawmakers in Hartford have been debating legalizing cannabis in the state for close to a decade. With weed recently legalized in nearby New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, the bill's proponents had begun to frame the battle as an economic one.

"By allowing adults to possess cannabis, regulating its sale and content, training police officers in the latest techniques of detecting and preventing impaired driving, and expunging the criminal records of people with certain cannabis crimes, we're not only effectively modernizing our laws and addressing inequities, we're keeping Connecticut economically competitive with our neighboring states," Gov. Ned Lamont said Tuesday.

See related: Gov. Lamont Signs Marijuana Legalization Bill Into Law In CT: Here's What It Does

>>>Read More at WTNH News 8.

With reporting by Patch editor Rich Kirby.