The 2008 legislative session is now underway, and we’re continuing our efforts to win sane, effective, and compassionate drug policies in Connecticut. During this time we have won a number of significant drug policy reforms. The  key to these successes in Connecticut is our strong relationship with local community organizations such as A Better Way Foundation.

Our focus in 2008 will be to win medical marijuana and to reform the failed school zone laws that have promoted racial disparity in the state’s criminal justice system. DPA continues to promote sensible reforms in the state that will save money and lives.

Medical Marijuana: Compassionate Use and Patient’s Rights—We won’t be deterred

Working with allies and patients, we did something amazing last year—we got medical marijuana through the state legislature. But we were stymied when Governor M. Jodi Rell vetoed the bill, overriding the wishes of both the Legislature and the citizens of Connecticut. We are working with Rep. Penny Bacchiochi (R-Somers) on developing a compromise bill that will still allow doctors to provide recommendations to qualifying patients who they believe would benefit from the medical use of marijuana. The patient or designated caregiver would then be allowed to grow up to five plants in a secured place in their own home.  The patient would have to register with the Connecticut Department of Public Health after their doctor recommended marijuana for use. To see a full report on our efforts to win Compassionate Use, click on the Compassionate Use sidebar.

Safer Schools, Safer Kids, Safety First

Racial disparities in the enforcement of Connecticut’s drug laws can be traced in large part to the state’s drug fee school zones, which establish stiff penalties for possession or sale of drugs around schools and day care centers.

To understand the impact of these laws more broadly, DPA commissioned the first-ever national study of so-called "drug-free" school zone laws across the country. While school zones were initially conceived as a way to protect children from drug activity, the report found that but 88 percent of arrests for drug crimes in school zones in Connecticut happen during the hours when school is not in session. In addition, school zones have not had a measurable deterrent effect.

Last year, we helped introduce House Bill 6064,  sponsored by Rep. Marie Kirkely-Bey. The bill requires the state of Connecticut to study the racial and demographic impact of the “drug-free” school zone laws.

The bill was not passed, but it did catch the attention of lawmakers and helped us bring attention to the racial disparities found under the school zone laws.

We’ll be working this year to pass sensible legislation to reduce racial disparities and enact sensible policies in Connecticut. To learn more, please contact us.

gabriel sayegh
Director, State Organizing and Policy Project
Drug Policy Alliance
(212) 613-8048
gsayegh@drugpolicy.org