CT United for Reform and Equity is a Connecticut based advocacy group focused on ensuring equity is achieved as our state ends its prohibition of cannabis.
The time we have all been waiting for is finally here! The House of Representatives will be debating cannabis legalization through SB1118. Here’s what equity champions need from everyone today to get this done:
1. Publicly thank
State Representative Robyn Porter for her commitment, sacrifice and persistence in the name of equity and community justice. Rep. Porter has done the nation a service by holding the line in CT, the most inequitable state in the nation, and forced our state to do better. Full list of her accomplishments will be listed below, but you all already know this win would not have been possible without Robyn, and no celebration should commence without a heartfelt THANK YOU to the people’s champ Rep Porter.
This vote is about the people of Connecticut and what this vote will mean for US. Listed below are the wins Robyn and the Progressive caucus won for US. This bill is by no means perfect, especially after the 4 greed obsessed growers decided to drag it through the mud to add their personal hand out’s, some of which we were able to get pulled before the final bill becomes law. Despite their attempts to stain our good work, Robyn and squad were able to win the following for the people of CT(Full list at
https://www.mpp.org/states/connecticut):
Student wins
- No one under the age of 18 will be arrested for possession. Period.
- Every school district in the state must change their policies by july 1 2022 to equalize all cannabis penalties with alcohol
- Eliminates discrimination against student medical marijuana patients
- Eliminates the ability for colleges and universities to pull financial aid over cannabis
- Protects student athletes from losing benefits for a positive drug test
Parent wins
- Cannabis in bloodstream shall not form the sole or primary basis for any action or proceeding by the Department of Children and Families
Patient wins
- All patients will be able to grow 6 plants start october 1 2021
- Eliminates the restriction to only purchase from 1 dispensary
- Patients may gift cannabis up to 1 ounce without repercussion
- Allows patients and caregivers to possess up to five ounces of marijuana.
- Allows DCP to add qualifying medical conditions without further legislative approval or delay
Criminal justice wins
- ALL adults over 21 will have the right to grow cannabis in their home starting in 2023
- ALL adults may possess 1.5 ounces on their person, and 5 ounces in a locked container in their home or vehicle.
- Legalizes use and creation of paraphernalia
- Decriminalizes first offense of illegally manufacturing, selling, or possessing with intent to sell up to eight ounces.
- Eliminates odor of cannabis or burnt cannabis as a basis to stop or search.
- Eliminates suspected possession or possession of up to five ounces as a basis to stop or search.
- Prohibits prosecution for sale or possession when seeking medical assistance.
- Prevents state entities from denying professional licensing based on the legal use of cannabis, a conviction for no more than four ounces of cannabis, or work for a cannabis establishment.
- Beginning July 1, 2022, individuals can petition for erasure of prior convictions for possession, drug paraphernalia, and sale and manufacture of four or fewer ounces or six or fewer plants. If the petition is in order, it must be granted. No fee may be charged.
- Beginning January 1, 2023, provides for automatic erasures of convictions from January 1, 2000 through September 15, 2015 for possession of fewer than four ounces.
Housing wins
- Prohibits landlords and property managers from:
refusing to rent to, or otherwise discriminating against, an existing or prospective tenant based on a past conviction in Connecticut for possessing specified amounts of cannabis,
- Requiring tenants to submit to a drug test
- banning non-inhaled use of cannabis at one’s rental home
Labor Wins
- Requires labor peace agreements for all licenses
- Requires Project Labor agreements for all projects over 5 million
- Creates apprenticeship programs for those with criminal histories
Equity wins
- Tribal Governments - The governor may enter into cannabis-related agreements or compacts with the Mashantucket Pequot Tribe and/or the Mohegan Tribe of Indians.
- 50% of all licenses must be set aside for equity applicants
- Social equity applicants receive a 50% reduction of license fees for the first three renewal cycles.
- Creates $50 million in bonding for initial funding for start-up capital for social equity applicants, the cannabis business accelerator program, and workforce training developed by the Social Equity Council.
- Beginning in on July 1, 2023, directs from 60% to 75% of the cannabis excise tax revenue will be directed to the Social Equity and Innovation Fund. Those funds can be used to promote social equity in relation to access to capital for businesses, funding workforce education; and funding for community investments.
- Within 45 days after bill passage, the Social Equity Council must establish criteria for proposals for an independent third party to conduct an impact study addressing the impacts of the war on cannabis users
