Thoughts from the void: Cannabis and Connecticut

Connecticut is gearing up for adult recreational use of cannabis legalization in the near future. A number of factors indicate that this could be a reality very soon. Massachusetts, the northern neighboring state has legalized recreational use making it a 30 minute drive from Connecticut for persons wishing to access recreational cannabis. The number of medical conditions for which cannabis can now be prescribed by physicians in Connecticut is 31. Recent surveys have indicated that a majority of voters in the state are in favor of adult recreational use. The governor of the state, Ned Lamont has said that legalizing cannabis for adult recreational use is one of his priorities. Many experts say that with the backing of lawmakers and the existing infrastructure of medical cannabis use growers and distributors, legalizing in 2020 is achievable.

Some of the provisions of the proposed recreational cannabis laws are likely to be home growing with cultivation of about six plants being allowed, cannabis being made legal for 21 years and above and home delivery of the plant and its products. Some of the areas that need to be addressed as per common agreement are expungement of cannabis related convictions and equity for those who have been disproportionately harmed through the war on cannabis over the last many decades.

At least 35 US states have legalized cannabis for medical use so far. The federal US government however continues to keep cannabis in the Schedule 1 list of banned substances saying that it has no medicinal value. The list of US states that have legalized adult recreational cannabis is available here. All these states have legalized cannabis for adult recreational use, aimed specifically at improving public health, ensuring equity, reducing crime, decreasing the black market, improving law enforcement, reforming criminal justice, improving the economy, agriculture and industry, to name just a few reasons.

Listed below are articles taken from various media related to the above subject. Words in italics are the thoughts of your truly at the time of reading the article.

'The researchers estimate that it costs about $19,000 per acre to grow hemp, including $6,570 in fixed costs and $12,719 in variable costs, meaning costs that change with the level of production. The yield per acre is dependent on many variables, such as local prices, CBD content, and total dried flower harvested.

At the prevailing local price, farmers can expect to earn roughly $24,375 in revenue per acre, for a profit of between $5,086 and $11,656, depending on those variable costs.'
https://today.uconn.edu/2020/04/numbers-connecticuts-newest-crop-hemp/

'The bipartisan legislative panel, according to the Connecticut Post, also agreed with a state Board of Physicians recommendation in late September 2019 to add Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. The syndrome can cause pain in the joints or muscles.

The new regulations will be submitted to the secretary of state’s office, which will post the regulations online. At that point, the regulations will be final.

Chronic pain, which Connecticut defines as pain that has lasted at least six months, generally is a leading sales driver for MMJ markets.'
https://mjbizdaily.com/connecticut-adds-chronic-pain-to-medical-marijuana-qualifying-list/

'Regulators have expanded the pool of patients eligible for medical cannabis access to include those with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and persistent (lasting more than six-months) chronic pain.

Physicians in Connecticut have the option of recommending cannabis therapy for patients suffering from over 30 distinct conditions, including epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and post-traumatic stress. Over 41,000 residents are registered with the state to obtain and consume medical cannabis products.'
https://norml.org/news/2020/06/11/connecticut-lawmakers-expand-patient-pool-eligible-for-medical-cannabis