Darien Times: State Rep. Tracy Marra (opinion): Connecticut’s hasty recreational cannabis legalization a concern

In the midst of the pandemic, the Connecticut General Assembly made a significant decision to approve the use of adult recreational cannabis, a rapid legislative move that effectively turned our state into a de facto FDA for a substance that remains illegal at the federal level. 

The swift passage of this law has led to notable safety concerns for Connecticut residents, primarily due to the lack of comprehensive regulation concerning product safety and law enforcement. The original legislation was more focused on who could apply for a permit to grow, sell, or own cannabis shops and did very little to regulate and ensure product safety, proper policing, or study of the effects on the body with these new products and ultra-high THC products.

The consequences of legalizing this drug will reverberate through our population for many years, and while they may have been unintended, they were certainly not unforeseeable.

A major safety issue this year was the discovery of a glaring loophole that allowed THC-infused seltzers to be sold in convenience and grocery stores. These unregulated and untested beverages were accessible to our youngest consumers, representing a shocking and dangerous oversight. Thankfully, we passed a law that now restricts these beverages to liquor and cannabis stores.

Another critical area the legislature has not properly addressed is the impact of cannabis on driving. State law prohibits driving under the influence of any substance, but, shockingly, it also prevents police from stopping drivers they suspect or know are driving high.

We need to support the training and deployment of more drug recognition enforcement officers and empower them to pull over drivers seen driving recklessly or using cannabis. Studies indicate that individuals who use both alcohol and cannabis are more likely to do so together, significantly increasing intoxication levels. We must improve our efforts to keep our roads safe.

Product safety is also a major concern with new companies and products rapidly appearing on the cannabis market.

Normally, medications or intoxicating substances are highly regulated under rigorous federal oversight and, while I generally oppose excessive government red tape, dangerous substances demand quality control. The safety of any intoxicant must be thoroughly tested and understood, including side effects, drug interactions, and dosages.

Historically, the FDA process to approve a drug can take many years, ensuring its safety for consumption. However, this important safety process has been bypassed for cannabis. Why?

While cannabis use has occurred for many years, its use has not been as widespread, nor has it involved ultra-high doses of THC, various delivery forms or exposure to children. The full understanding of the medical ramifications will emerge over time, but it will be to the detriment of many who believed cannabis was safe simply because the state of Connecticut legalized it.

The broader implications of cannabis legalization and the message it sends to Connecticut residents—that cannabis is a safe drug—are troubling. It has not been properly studied or proven to be safe, and its widespread use has already been linked to cannabis-induced emesis, psychosis and addiction, particularly among younger individuals. We do not yet fully understand the extent of this harm because these concentrations and dosages have not undergone the FDA’s rigorous testing process.

For towns expecting financial benefits from cannabis sales, I believe the negative impacts will far outweigh the nominal gains.

Connecticut must prioritize the safety and well-being of its residents and reconsider its approach to recreational cannabis.

State Rep. Tracy Marra represents the 141st district covering Norwalk and Darien.