A bill introduced in Connecticut would authorize marijuana to be taxed and regulated similar to alcohol, legalizing the plant, and effectively rejecting the federal prohibition on the same.
House Bill 6703 (HB6703) was introduced on Jan. 30 by State Rep. Juan Candelaria (D-95). If this bill is successful, Connecticut would become the first state to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes through the legislature rather than the popular vote.
HB6703 states simply “that the general statutes be amended to allow marijuana use for persons twenty-one years of age and older, and to regulate the sale, possession, use and growth of marijuana.” The bill offers no further details as to how marijuana would be regulated by the state once it is legalized.
CONSTITUTIONALITY
Congress and the president claim the constitutional authority to ban marijuana. The Supreme Court concurs. However, nearly two-dozen states have taken steps to put the well-being of their citizens above the so-called federal supremacy by legalizing marijuana to varying degrees anyway.
“The rapidly growing and wildly successful state-level movement to legalize marijuana, either completely, or for medical use, proves that states can successfully effectively reject unconstitutional federal acts. The feds can claim the authority to prohibit pot all they want, but it clearly has done nothing to deter states from moving forward with plans to allow it, pushed by the will of the people,” Tenth Amendment Center executive director Michael Boldin said.
The momentum is on our side, but Connecticut cannot legalize it without your help. This effort needs your support to achieve victory. HB6703 is currently in Joint Committee on Judiciary where it will need to successfully pass through before it can receive a full vote in the state house.
ACTION ITEMS
If you live in Connecticut, support this bill by following all the action steps at THIS LINK.
All Other States, take action to push back against the federal drug war at this link.
