Senator Toni Boucher (R-26) is calling
for the General Assembly to reject proposed legislation
that would "erode the progress made over the years
to combat marijuana usage."
Senator Boucher recently testified before the legislature’s
Judiciary Committee in opposition to Senate Bill 349,
An Act Concerning the Penalty for Possession of a Small
Amount of Marijuana. Specifically, the bill would
decriminalize the possession of less than one ounce of
marijuana by classifying it as an infraction. Currently,
first time offenders convicted of possessing up to four
ounces of marijuana are subject to a maximum fine of $1,000
and, or, a maximum prison sentence of one year. Subsequent
offenses are subject to a maximum fine of $3,000 and,
or, a maximum prison sentence of five years.
"It seems surreal that the same General Assembly
that legislatively addresses quality of life and health
issues, like trans-fat and second hand smoke, would
ever consider a bill that decriminalizes a substance
which has such noxious effects. No elected official
can ignore the social and health consequences that marijuana
use imposes on the people of this country - particularly
children who are much more vulnerable to harm and addiction.
This bill undermines all the work and effort of drug
prevention advocates and would put Connecticut on a
path detrimental to the health and well being of its
residents,” said Senator Boucher.
Senator Boucher challenged bill proponents who claim
that passing the bill would produce costs savings during
this difficult economic time. Also, she pointed to research
showing that most inmates convicted of marijuana possession
were also charged with more serious crimes, and many
enter guilty pleas to marijuana charges to avoid the
more serious charges.
"The number of less than one ounce marijuana
possession cases is not even close to being significant
enough to impact the caseload. The courts will still
operate during business hours and prosecutors and staff
will still have plenty of cases to process. Less than
one ounce possession cases are only a small drop in
the judicial case backlog . . . The cost to our health
care system, substance abuse treatment centers, mental
health centers, and our foster care system would wipe
out any previous savings it may potentially generate
at first. This bill would still not accomplish the financial
savings that the proponents proclaim,” said Senator
Boucher.
Senator Boucher said that evidence of the dangerous
health effects of marijuana usage and the detrimental
effects of illegal drug use on society should be enough
to convince the General Assembly to reject this proposed
legislation.
"There is a great deal of research available
on the effects of smoked marijuana. In Connecticut alone,
Yale University and the University of Connecticut Medical
Societies have determined that smoked marijuana causes
damages to the brain, heart, immune system, and lungs,
as well as impairing learning and memory, and perception
and judgment. There is now conclusive evidence that
smoking marijuana gives you greater exposure to cancerous
chemicals than from tobacco, said Senator Boucher, adding
that research also shows a correlation between marijuana
usage and an increased risk for developing mental disorders.
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