Sen. Kelly on Recreational Cannabis Legalization: “This bill is about the money.”

June 16, 2021

Sen. Kelly on Recreational Cannabis Legalization: “This bill is about the money.” - CT Senate Republic

HARTFORD – Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly (R-Stratford) released the following statement regarding Governor Ned Lamont’s threatened veto of the bill legalizing recreational cannabis:

 

“What’s becoming more and more abundantly clear is that this bill is about the money. It’s an insiders’ game, not focused on public health and safety. Instead of debating whether this will benefit society or how public health and safety concerns will be mitigated, the debate is all about who is going to profit the most. Over the last two weeks we’ve seen fingerprints of the well-connected all over this bill. Language tailored to ensure licenses go to certain individuals found its way into the bill. And now we hear of more last-minute changes that could still give the well-connected a leg up. While the public has been shut out of the Capitol, big money lobbying continues. The conversation is not about the science. It’s not about public safety. It’s not about good social policy. It’s about the money.”