NORWICH - When asked about recreational marijuana Friday morning, State Representative Holly Cheeseman reiterated a stance most know.

“I think the worst reason to add an additional intoxicant for legal consumption in the State of Connecticut is for revenue,” she said.

The Greater Norwich Area Chamber of Commerce provided an opportunity to its members to talk to state legislators during its legislative breakfast. State Representatives Cheesesman, Doug Dubitsky, Mike France, Kathleen McCarthy, Kevin Ryan, Brian Lanoue, and State Senators Cathy Osten and Heather Somers were among those in attendance.

The breakfast consisted of members voicing concerns and giving perspectives, then directing quesetions to legislators.

Jason Vincent, the senior vice president of the Norwich Community Development Corporation, asked if there would be any bills presented in 2020 about the legalization of recreational marijuana.

“Might as well ask the tough one,” he said.

Osten said there is at least one bill related to marijuana coming this year, and there may be as many as four.

Even though the legislators had different opinions on legalization, they all want caution in Connecticut's approach.

Cheeseman was the first one to “jump right in” to answer the question. She had concerns about the strength of marijuana, as marijuana is grown to be stronger than it was decades ago. She believes it is more constructive to address “disproportionate justice” related to minor pot offenses.

“I have no problem with expunging records,” she said. “I have no problem with seeking ways to increase job opportunities in these communities where these arrests took place.”

France pointed out legalizing recreational marijuana could affect the state’s efforts to support defense manufacturing and other industries. One of the clauses in the $22 billion contract General Dynamics Electric Boat (EB) signed with the U.S. Navy is for the company to increase for their workforce by 3,000-5,000 workers.

France referenced former EB CEO Jeffery Geiger's thoughts on how marijuana legalization in Rhode Island could make things complicated, as workers can’t be found using marijuana in order to maintain security clearances.

“For anybody who is in contracting and in business, when it gets complicated, it gets very hard, and sometimes it doesn’t happen,” he said.



Ryan still wants to be careful about legalization, but reminded his colleagues that legal recreational marijuana would be produced under similar guidelines in place for medical marijuana.

“It wouldn’t be laced with product,” Ryan said.



