A bill that aims to eliminate commercial cannabis gifting and allow physicians assistants’ to write medical marijuana prescriptions in Connecticut passed the House on Tuesday.
House Bill 5329, which includes several amendments, is headed to the Senate. The original bill, which covers a range of issues related to cannabis, drew criticism from marijuana advocates and patients who said it would re-criminalize the substance and outlaw the social gifting that many rely on to get their medicine.
The criminal penalties initially included in the bill have been removed, and there’s specific language to allow social gifting.
The bill passed by a 98-48 vote.
Cannabis gifting is a practice in which consumers purchase a novelty item such as a sticker or a T-shirt and receive marijuana as a “gift” with their purchase. It’s commonly used in Washington, D.C., and was used at festivals such as High Bazaar in Connecticut.
The Hamden festival, which drew hundreds of people, was shut down by a judge’s order because of permitting issues.
The bill now includes language specifying that gifting between people with social relationships is allowed. It’s intended to eliminate the commercial gifting, such as that at festivals, said Rep. Michael D’Agostino, D-Hamden.
“You can gift to your friends and relatives,” D’Agostino said during the debate on the House floor. “That is still legal and will remain legal after we…
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A bill that aims to eliminate commercial cannabis gifting and allow physicians assistants’ to write medical marijuana prescriptions in Connecticut passed the House on Tuesday.
House Bill 5329, which includes several amendments, is headed to the Senate. The original bill, which covers a range of issues related to cannabis, drew criticism from marijuana advocates and patients who said it would re-criminalize the substance and outlaw the social gifting that many rely on to get their medicine.
The criminal penalties initially included in the bill have been removed, and there’s specific language to allow social gifting.
The bill passed by a 98-48 vote.
Cannabis gifting is a practice in which consumers purchase a novelty item such as a sticker or a T-shirt and receive marijuana as a “gift” with their purchase. It’s commonly used in Washington, D.C., and was used at festivals such as High Bazaar in Connecticut.
The Hamden festival, which drew hundreds of people, was shut down by a judge’s order because of permitting issues.
The bill now includes language specifying that gifting between people with social relationships is allowed. It’s intended to eliminate the commercial gifting, such as that at festivals, said Rep. Michael D’Agostino, D-Hamden.
“You can gift to your friends and relatives,” D’Agostino said during the debate on the House floor. “That is still legal and will remain legal after we…
