Senate Leadership
March 24, 2009
Senate Majority Leader: Decriminalizing Small Amounts of Marijuana Would Save Taxpayers at Least $11 Million
Senate majority Leader Martin Looney (D-New Haven) submits testimony to judiciary committee on his proposal
Hartford: Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney (D-New Haven) is submitting testimony today to the General Assembly’s Judiciary Committee in support of his proposed bill to legalize small amounts of marijuana.
Senator Looney is proposing decriminalizing possession of less than one ounce of marijuana and changing the violation from a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of up to $1,000 and / or imprisonment for up to 1 year, to an infraction, which is punishable by a fine of up to $121.
“Senate Bill 349 represents a compassionate and pragmatic policy,” said Senator Looney. “Our state should not encourage illegal drug use; however, possession of marijuana for personal use should not leave a person with a life-long criminal record. This bill would also create budgetary savings. It would reduce costs to police departments, the court system, and the offices of the public defenders and the state’s attorneys.”
According to the Office of Fiscal Analysis (OFA), there were 9,928 marijuana arrests in Connecticut in 2007, which represents 7.0 percent of total arrests statewide. Based on prior research findings, it is estimated that approximately 33 percent of those arrests — or 3,300 — were for possession of less than one ounce of marijuana.”
The report continues, “Based on a proportionate analysis of resources currently allocated to handle these offenses, it is estimated that the proposal could save up to $11 million and generate $320,000 in General Fund revenue — from fines — annually.”
“This is an issue, like medical marijuana, where the public is ahead of the elected officials. Last year, the state of Massachusetts passed by referendum a measure which decriminalized the possession of an ounce or less of marijuana; it passed 65 percent to 35 percent. Polling in Connecticut by Quinnipiac University demonstrated that 58 percent of our citizens favor decriminalization.”
The Judiciary Committee’s deadline to approve Senate Bill 349 and move it ahead in the legislative process is April 3, 2009.
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