Against legalization of recreational marijuana

The written and understood public policy of the state of Connecticut is to promote the general health and welfare of its people. Despite this, some Connecticut state legislators are once again pushing legalization largely for financial reasons, public health be damned.

As grandparents, we believe that legalization of recreational marijuana will send mixed messages to young people in our state. We believe marijuana is a gateway drug but agree with the National Academy of Science which admits “more research is called for.” The American Psychiatric Association says “cannabis use disorder” is included in their Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders” and Professor Mark Litt at the UConn Health Center states, “Yes, it is addictive” and references APA.

Dr. Arthur Taub, a 40-year retired Yale neurologist and neuro physiologist stated that “cannabis is a long lasting poison,” “Marijuana use acts to produce a form of incapacitating schizophrenia psychosis which may persist lifelong.” Scientists know that marijuana use damages the development of brains under the age of 25.

Marijuana edibles are a new horror in states that have legalized. Numerous trips to emergency rooms around the nation have been caused by young people ingesting unknown amounts of THC in edibles: seizures, high blood pressure, panic attacks and impacts on brain development. If unmasked cigarette smokers release the virus, imagine the amount of virus emitted by unmasked vaporers and marijuana smokers.

Connecticut, The Provision State, was once a proud state which General and President George Washington could rely on to help win American independence. We were relied on for provisions under Connecticut Gov. Buckingham during the Civil War. We have been relied on during the wars of the 20th century, as well. Are we now so pathetic that our “leaders” are pushing the legalization of marijuana during a pandemic to promote the general health and welfare? Connecticut is better than that!

Tim Chaucer, Co-chairman for Common Sense, Milford Frank Dematteis, Hamden Richard Inzero, Hamden Ron Johnson, Hamden