Senator Toni Boucher (R-26) asked the CT General Assembly not to pass proposals before it that would decriminalize marijuana and allow medical marijuana in the state. She addressed the legislature on Monday.
“We must not give Connecticut a ‘soft on crime’ reputation where it becomes easy to obtain a get out of jail free ticket,” Boucher said in a press release issued by her office Monday afternoon. “Marijuana is a harmful, Schedule I, federally illegal drug that does not save or improve lives. It can undermine the seriously ill’s best prospect of recovery and is the for Connecticut.”
According to the release, Boucher was joined by Wilton resident Ronni McLaughlin whose son Dan died of a drug overdose in 2004, at the age of 20.
“If lawmakers approve this marijuana legislation it will be a grave mistake,” McLaughlin said. “I’ve seen first hand the damage this gateway drug has on individuals and families.”
If proposals to decriminalize marijuana are passed, the release said, possessing less than one ounce would no longer be a criminal offense. Instead, offenders would be fined up to $90. Also, if proposals allowing doctors to recommend medical marijuana pass, an eligible person would be allowed to grow four pot plants, no taller than four feet, in their home. The release said that current proposals would move the drug free zone around schools and day care centers from 1,500 feet to 200 feet, “allowing dealers to do business right in front of our children’s eyes.”
“I am tremendously grateful and proud that we have fought repeated attempts in the past to take our state down this dangerous path and have not broken a trust with our constituents of doing no harm,” said Boucher said. “Let’s all work to continue to keep our children and neighborhoods safe.”
Boucher represents Bethel, New Canaan, Redding, Ridgefield, Weston, Westport and Wilton.
