 Connecticut has enjoyed medical marijuana for several years, but only last year legalized the plant for adult use, with those sales expected to begin by the end of this year.
However, the state is concerned that people are getting a jump on accessing cannabis without going through an approved medical dispensary, by ‘gifting’ it to others. Because of this, the state recently proposed Bill No. 5329, which is trying to put an end to “gifting” by charging $10,000 for violations. The state held a meeting on March 8, inviting the public to give their thoughts on the proposed bill. Many advocates who spoke were concerned about this application of the law, and who it would be directed at. A local cannabis business owner, Duncan Markovich, said, “Enacting a law that criminalizes the giving of any of this plant-based medicine to our fellow family members, friends or even complete strangers is unethical, unfathomable and borderline nefarious.” State Representatives tried to downplay the severity of the law for individual gift giving. Connecticutt State Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle Seagull said the law was more focused on big commercial companies, saying “It has to be a lot more than if you just gave it to a friend.” However, the bill’s text does clearly state that “no person shall gift, sell or transfer cannabis to another person.” This, of course, is very concerning to many cannabis supporting citizens. The General Law Committee is set to act on this bill proposal by March 22. Comments are closed.
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