SENATOR OPPOSES LESSENING POT-POSSESSION PENALTIES

Senator Toni Boucher (R-26) has called for the General Assembly to
reject proposed legislation that would "erode the progress made over
the years to combat marijuana usage."

Senator Boucher, whose district covers Ridgefield, recently testified
before the legislature's Judiciary Committee, opposing Senate Bill
349, An Act Concerning the Penalty for Possession of a Small Amount
of Marijuana.

The bill would decriminalize the possession of less than one ounce of
marijuana by classifying it as an infraction. Currently, first time
offenders convicted of possessing up to four ounces of marijuana are
subject to a maximum fine of $1,000 and, or, a maximum prison
sentence of one year.

Subsequent offenses are subject to a maximum fine of $3,000 and, or,
a maximum prison sentence of five years.

It seems surreal that the same General Assembly that legislatively
addresses quality of life and health issues, like trans-fat and
second-hand smoke, would ever consider a bill that decriminalizes a
substance which has such noxious effects," Senator Boucher said.

No elected official can ignore the social and health consequences
that marijuana use imposes on the people of this country --
particularly children who are much more vulnerable to harm and
addiction. This bill undermines all the work and effort of drug
prevention advocates and would put Connecticut on a path detrimental
to the health and well being of its residents."

Senator Boucher challenged proponents' claim that passing the bill
would save money during this difficult economic time. Also, she said
research shows most inmates convicted of marijuana possession were
also charged with more serious crimes, and many enter guilty pleas to
marijuana charges to avoid the more serious charges.

The number of less than one ounce marijuana possession cases is not
even close to being significant enough to impact the caseload," she
said. "The courts will still operate during business hours and
prosecutors and staff will still have plenty of cases to process.
Less than one ounce possession cases are only a small drop in the
judicial case backlog . . . The cost to our health care system,
substance abuse treatment centers, mental health centers, and our
foster care system would wipe out any previous savings it may
potentially generate at first. This bill would still not accomplish
the financial savings that the proponents proclaim."

Senator Boucher said evidence of the dangerous health effects of
marijuana usage and the detrimental effects of illegal drug use on
society should be enough to convince the General Assembly to reject
this proposed legislation.

There is a great deal of research available on the effects of smoked
marijuana," she said. "In Connecticut alone, Yale University and the
University of Connecticut Medical Societies have determined that
smoked marijuana causes damages to the brain, heart, immune system,
and lungs, as well as impairing learning and memory, and perception
and judgment. There is now conclusive evidence that smoking marijuana
gives you greater exposure to cancerous chemicals than from tobacco,"
said Senator Boucher.

She added, "research also shows a correlation between marijuana usage
and an increased risk for developing mental disorders.