News » Connecticut Medical Marijuana And Decriminalization Laws Proposed

Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy has proposed a package of bills to help move forward his agenda of marijuana decriminalization in the state. The changes to the law would bring Connecticut into line with the laws of New York and Massachusetts – possession of less than one ounce of marijuana would result in an infraction and a $100 fine instead of a misdemeanor charge.

One bill would allow for medical use of cannabis by patients who are registered in the state – a similar proposal was defeated in 2007 – as well as others Malloy believes would help to reduce the state’s prison population. Decriminalization, he says, will help the state become more fiscally responsible and allow law enforcement resources to be repurposed to focus on violent and more serious offenders.

Michael Lawlor, Malloy’s undersecretary of justice policy and planning at the Office of Policy and Management agrees. In a written statement to the committee he said “there is no question that these resources could have been more effectively utilized for convicting, incarcerating and supervising violent and more serious offenders.”

However as with any law, and especially ones dealing with marijuana, Malloy’s proposals have their detractors as well. Chief State’s Attorney Kevin Kane doesn’t believe that there will be any cost savings for his office – but also admits that he has no real proof of this, as no records are kept for cases involving less than one ounce.

“The reality is, people do not go to jail for possession of small quantities of marijuana. It doesn’t happen without aggravating factors,” Kane said, citing the 31 cases that the state is processing where possession of 4 ounces of marijuana is considered the primary offense.

All of those cases involved weapons charges, long rap sheets, and plea bargains.

In 2009 there were 8,118 arrests for marijuana, and of those cases 2,700 were only for possession of marijuana of which 2,025 involved less than one ounce of marijuana. From those cases, the Office of Adult Probation supervised 1,090 probationers.

These numbers make others like Leo Arnone, the Department of Corrections commissioner, agree with Malloy however. Converting from a “statutory good time” policy to a “risk reduction credit” system – where prisoners are rewarded for for good behavior and participating in community outreach programs – will give him the flexibility needed to focus his facilities’ resources on those who can most benefit.

With the currently law punishable by a $1000 fine and up to 1 year in prison, the cost to the community is not to be taken lightly either. These measures, if nothing else, bring compassions to the justice system, and likely bring a cost savings as well.

The state is holding hearings on the proposals before putting the legislation on the ballot.

Tags: connecticut, Dannel P. Malloy, decriminalization, Kevin Kane, Leo Arnone, medical marijuana, Michael Lawlor