House gives final legislative approval to marijuana decriminalization bill

After a lengthy debate, the state House of Representatives today gave final legislative approval to a bill that decriminalizes the possession of small amounts of marijuana.

The vote was 90 to 57 in favor and came after a spirited discussion that stretched on for nearly five hours.
The bill now goes to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, who immediately hailed its passage and pledged to sign it when it reaches his desk.
"Final approval of this legislation accepts the reality that the current law does more harm than good - both in the impact it has on people's lives and the burden it places on police, prosecutors and probation officers of the criminal justice system,'' Malloy said in a statement emailed to reporters moments after the vote was tallied.
"Let me make it clear - we are not legalizing the use of marijuana. In modifying this law, we are recognizing that the punishment should fit the crime, and acknowledging the effects of its application. There is no question that the state's criminal justice resources could be more effectively utilized for convicting, incarcerating and supervising violent and more serious offenders,'' Malloy said.
"Modification of this law will now put Connecticut in line with the laws of two of our neighboring states, New York and Massachusetts, and a total of thirteen states across the country with similar statutes. I applaud the General Assembly in their passage of this legislation and will sign it into law. I would also like to specifically thank State Senator Martin Looney, who first introduced this legislation in 2009, for his support and advocacy of this issue."
Before the vote, several lawmakers said they were struggling with the issue and are not sure how they will vote.

Rep. Rob Sampson, a Republican from Wolcott, said he generally takes a libertarian view of government regulation. But in this case, he said he is wary of what kind of message decriminalizing marijuana would send to young people. "I don't know if we're ready to make this move just yet,'' he said.
Supporters of the bill, which passed the state Senate on Saturday by the narrowest of margins, say it will save the state money and provide for fairer treatment of those caught with small amounts of the substance.
But critics say the state should not lessen the penalties for such an addictive and dangerous substance.

"There is no doubt in mind that marijuana is the gateway to future drugs,'' said Rep. Frank Nicastro, D-Bristol. Nicastro, who worked as a truant officer for the city for 17 years, said he has seen countless lives wrecked by addiction.
"What we're saying to the youth of our state is it's not a crime anymore and they're going to take advantage of that because they don't realize how dangerous marijuana can be,'' Nicastro said.

But Rep. Brenda Kupchick, R-Fairfield, questioned that argument. She said she has family members who were drug addicts and state law had nothing to do with their addiction.
"I've known a lot of people over my lifetime who've used marijuana, and who grew up to be productive citizens and never used drugs again,'' Kupchick said. "And I know people who took drugs out of their parents' medicine cabinet and became full blown drug addicts and lost their lives."
The decriminalization bill would make the possession of a half-ounce of marijuana or less--about 30 joints -- akin to receiving a speeding ticket rather than a criminal offense. First-time offenders would face a $150 fine; second and subsequent offenses would draw a penalty of at least $200 but no more than $500.
Rep. Themis Klarides, R-Derby, said the amount is an arbitrary number set by lawmakers hoping to win passage of the bill. "It can't be OK if you have 30 marijuana cigarettes and bad if you have 50 marijuana cigarettes,'' she said. "It's either bad or it's not bad."
As part of a compromise, the Senate amended the measure to stiffen the punishment for young people caught with the drug. The possession and use of even a small amount of marijuana by a person 21 or younger would result in a 60-day driver's license suspension.
Those 18 and under would be referred to juvenile justice authorities. Another amendment, also endorsed by the Senate, requires those with three or more offenses to obtain drug counseling at their own expense.

There were 9,290 marijuana arrests of individuals 18 and older in Connecticut in 2009 - three-quarters of them for possession of less than a half-ounce of the substance, according to the legislature's non-partisan Office of Fiscal Analysis. OFA estimated the state would save $885,000 annually in prosecutor and public defender salaries as well as court costs. OFA also found that the state could net up to $1.4 million annually in fines and fees.


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