Posted on January 25, 2023
HARTFORD— State Rep. Charles Ferraro (R-117) joined his House Republican colleagues on Tuesday to unveil caucus proposals aimed at creating a safer environment surrounding the recreational use and retail sale of cannabis.
“When it comes to our state’s fledgling cannabis marketplace, the umbrella message emanating from the Governor’s office is, unfortunately, one of shining positivity that in our opinion is at odds with the concerns of not just many residents, but also state mental health and addiction professionals who spend a lot of energy warning us all—and children in particular—about the drug’s dangers,” said Rep. Vincent Candelora (R-86), House Republican Leader. “I urge my colleagues who have been so enthusiastic about retail cannabis to refocus their energy and prioritize an effort to make changes to our regulatory landscape for the benefit of our state.”
The proposals from House Republicans cover a wide-ranging set of issues, from student driving education and labeling to sales of cannabis products at gas stations and safer packaging.
“Now that cannabis is here and commercialized in Connecticut, we have a duty to make certain the retail market is safe and employees have the necessary training of the products they sell,” said Rep. David Rutigliano (R-123), Ranking Member of the General Law Committee. “Priority number one is to protect children from predatory marketing. The best retail market system is one that works jointly with law enforcement to identify the good actors from the bad.”
The bill from House Republicans, H.B. 5434, will be subject of a General Law Committee public hearing.
“The ongoing rollout of the recreational marijuana market in Connecticut has exposed some of our greatest concerns from the initial debate on this legislation in 2021. It is my imperative to promote the health and safety of our community, especially our children and most vulnerable neighbors,” Rep. Charles Ferraro (R-117) said. “That the state of Connecticut is effectively promoting casual drug use through the commercialization of cannabis skews our priorities away from health and safety, and towards a path which will subject our neighbors to unnecessary risk
through ill-advised consumption methods, further hamper law enforcement’s ability to perform on the job, and create unnecessary hazards due to impaired driving.”
The bill from House Republicans proposes the following:
Continued, House Republican proposals on cannabis safety:
Requires the Department of Consumer Protection to:
House Republicans urge members of the public to share their thoughts about H.B. 5434 when it is scheduled by the General Law Committee. For more information on how to testify, visit the committee’s web site at cga.ct.gov/gl
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