that approved legalization this year.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nAccording to <\/span>NORML<\/span>, the proposed measure allows adults 21 and older to possess up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis flower or an equivalent amount of cannabis concentrates in public and up to five ounces of marijuana in their private residence. <\/span><\/p>\nAdults will be able to possess cannabis without penalty beginning on July 1, 2021.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nThose with past criminal records for activities involving up to four ounces of cannabis will automatically expunge their convictions. <\/span><\/p>\nThose with convictions for more serious offenses can petition the courts for relief.<\/span><\/p>\nLicensed retailers will be subject to state and local regulations, and local municipalities may impose moratoriums on cannabis-related businesses. <\/span><\/p>\nMarijuana flowers available at retail facilities will be capped at 30 percent THC, while concentrated products (except vape cartridges) will be capped at 60 percent THC. <\/span><\/p>\nRetail purchases will be subject to the state\u2019s sales tax. <\/span><\/p>\nDesignated public consumption facilities are permitted under the law in municipalities with 50,000 residents or more.<\/span><\/p>\nHome cultivation is permitted under the measure. <\/span><\/p>\nPatients registered in the state\u2019s <\/span>medical cannabis program<\/span> will be allowed to home-cultivate cannabis later this year. <\/span><\/p>\nAt the same time, non-patients must wait until 2023 until they are legally permitted to home-cultivate marijuana for their personal use without any penalties.<\/span><\/p>\nThe measure limits the discriminatory actions that employers, hospitals, and others may take against those who test positive for past cannabis exposure. <\/span><\/p>\nIt also provides protections for parents and tenants who use cannabis in compliance with the law. The bill mandates that the odor of marijuana alone cannot be used as a basis for police to search an individual. <\/span><\/p>\nIt prohibits jail time as a penalty for those under 21 who are caught in possession of marijuana. <\/span><\/p>\nYoung adults (those ages 18 to 20) will face civil penalties for marijuana possession.<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cConnecticut is just the latest domino to fall as states begin to repeal their failed prohibition of marijuana and replace it with a sensible system of legalization and regulation,\u201d said Erik Altieri, <\/span>NORML<\/span>\u2019s Executive Director. \u201cFederal lawmakers need to stop dragging their feet and get the message: it is time to take swift action to end our federal prohibition and allow states to legalize marijuana as they see fit.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\nEighteen states<\/span> have enacted adult-use legalization laws \u2014 with four doing so legislatively this year.<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cWhile stronger language surrounding equity in ownership is needed, it\u2019s very encouraging that substance use disorder and mental health treatment will have a dedicated fund that will receive 25 percent of tax revenues,\u201d said Zachary Green, President of the <\/span>UConn Hartford Students for Sensible Drug Policy <\/span>(SSDP) chapter.<\/span><\/p>\nGreen, who helped mobilize a rally for legalization in April, continued, \u201cToday is a historic day, but tomorrow we\u2019re right back to organize for more sensible policies at every level of government.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nGreen cites the fund, plus the fact that students will no longer be discriminated against via enrollment or penalized due to their cannabis consumption, \u201cis huge progress.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nSome young-adult-specific highlights of the bill include:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- No arrests for possession for anyone under 18\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n
- No discrimination against students who use medical cannabis<\/span><\/li>\n
- Schools must re-write their policies by January 2022 to equalize cannabis penalties with alcohol<\/span><\/li>\n
- Student-athletes may not be penalized for failing a drug test for cannabis<\/span><\/li>\n
- No financial aid penalty for possession under four ounces<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\u201cSSDP\u2019s youth and students across the globe are changing laws in their community. Connecticut is just the most recent example of SSDP members leading the fight for a more sensible world,\u201d said <\/span>Jason Ortiz, Executive Director of SSDP<\/span> and resident of Connecticut.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nOrtiz was arrested for possession of cannabis while still in high school.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\u201cThere is no doubt that the training and support we received from SSDP created the foundation for the movement we have built, in Connecticut. Today\u2019s victory is proof that a small group of committed citizens can change the world,\u201d said Ortiz.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n