After years of effort, Connecticut is on the verge of becoming the newest medical marijuana state. On April 25, the Connecticut House of Representatives voted 96-51 to approve An Act Concerning the Palliative Use of Marijuana, HB 5389. The Senate followed suit in a 21-13 vote on May 6. Gov. Dannel Malloy said he’ll sign the bill, which is headed to his desk.
HB 5389 will allow state-registered patients or their caregivers to obtain marijuana from dispensaries, which in turn would obtain marijuana from licensed producers. Only pharmacists could apply on behalf of dispensaries. HB 5389’s qualifying medical conditions are cancer, glaucoma, HIV, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries causing spasticity, epilepsy, wasting, Crohn’s disease, and PTSD. The Department of Consumer Protection could add additional medical conditions.
Patients — who must be 18 or older — would be able to obtain a one-month supply, and the amount would be determined by the department. Most of the bill will go into effect on October 1, including a provision to allow patients to obtain a temporary registration to possess marijuana while the department implements the remainder of the act.
This victory comes despite saber-rattling from Connecticut’s U.S. attorney, who sent a letter on April 23 saying that dispensaries and growers are illegal under federal law and saying the Department of Justice could prosecute or enjoin them. Connecticut is the latest of several states to move forward with well-regulated dispensing programs despite receiving similar intimidating letters. Please ask your member of Congress to support legislation to remove federal penalties from state-legal programs.
Connecticut decriminalizes possession of marijuana
On the next to last day of the 2011 session, after an epic five hour debate, the Connecticut House of Representatives gave its approval to SB 1014, a bill to decriminalize the possession of less than half an ounce of marijuana. The Senate passed the bill the day before, after a marathon debate of its own. Governor Dan Malloy signed the bill into law on June 30, and it took effect the next day.
The new law removes criminal penalties for the use or possession of less than half an ounce of marijuana and paraphernalia, lowering the penalty from a misdemeanor to a civil violation. Rather than facing up to a year in jail and fines of up to $1,000, first time offenders are cited and assessed a $150 civil fine. Subsequent offenses are subject to increased fines of $200-$500, and upon a third violation, offenders are referred to a drug awareness program. Most importantly though, they are no longer arrested or saddled with a criminal record. In addition to the fine, anyone under 21 who is found responsible for possessing less than a half-ounce of marijuana faces a 60-day suspension of their drivers’ licenses.
Cannabis Times is having a open discussion with two Connecticut attorney’s..
Hear Defense Attorney Daniel P Weiner, Stamford CT. and C. Charles Young, attorneys from Connecticut discuss the facts tonight!
Stamford attorney Daniel P. Weiner has served people in Fairfield County and throughout the state of Connecticut For more than 33 Years,
He and his staff are committed to providing effective legal counsel and serious, aggressive representation to people dealing with a wide range of legal matters, including criminal charges, juvenile matters, personal injury or divorce and family law issues.
At the Law Offices of Daniel P. Weiner, they believe that you deserve an attorney who will provide the individual attention your case deserves, while maintaining an honest and straightforward relationship with you throughout the process.
Law Offices of Daniel P. Weiner
24 Hoyt Street
Stamford CT 06905
Telephone: 203-883-9945
Telephone: 866-487-0092
Our second Attorney! C. Christian Young, A trial attorney of 14 years with a focus on representing individuals and organizations who have been subjected to criminal investigations or criminal accusations by state and federal law enforcement agencies. I have met many great people and families who have become casualties of the failed war on drugs along the way. Long before I became an attorney, I was a strong advocate for the decriminalization and legalization of marijuana. My colleagues are John R. Gulash and Eugene J. Riccio, trial attorneys of over 35 years each. We share in the focus of defending those who are accused of engaging in conduct prohibited by state and federal governments. Together, we are strong team defending and fighting for our individual rights and freedoms.
C. Christian Young Gulash & Riccio 350 Fairfield Avenue Suite 703 Bridgeport, CT 06604 (203) 367-7440 www.gulashandriccio.com
