[kidyankee764]

Originally Posted by Smooth21

Not to mention in this situation people of all ages will be buying cannabis. You can't target a small demographic like in the NY liquor situation.

Plus, right now at least, the shops in MA aren't near the CT border. Are we going to have state police drive 25-30 minutes into MA, stake out a dispensary for CT plates, and then tail them to see if they return straight to CT? What if they're visiting family/friends that weekend? What if they're going out for lunch after stopping at the dispensary and won't be re-entering CT for hours? The logistics of it are ridiculous.

CT state troopers don’t have jurisdiction to be in MA on any detail (same with NY) so that would not, and does not, happen.

[Chazbme99]

Connecticut will be next state to legalize. We need to get more money coming in. Legal weed and sports betting are on the fast track. I still think Bridgeport will get a casino eventually. Lamont and the Democrat controlled legislature will be looking for any way to get more taxes / revenue coming in. No mention or talk of actually making changes and meaningful cuts. Our cities are destroyed and are not sanctuary for illegals. Welcome to the welfare state of Connecticut.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by Chazbme99

Connecticut will be next state to legalize. We need to get more money coming in. Legal weed and sports betting are on the fast track. I still think Bridgeport will get a casino eventually. Lamont and the Democrat controlled legislature will be looking for any way to get more taxes / revenue coming in. No mention or talk of actually making changes and meaningful cuts. Our cities are destroyed and are not sanctuary for illegals. Welcome to the welfare state of Connecticut.

I agree. Though I do not support these on an ethical level, whether we like it or not, they are here because other states around us are legalizing them. We have little choice but to follow along. This is the same as tolls. Every other state around us has them so we might as well join them and provide our transportation system with much needed funding. Why should 30% of the traffic on our highway continue to pay little to nothing to use our highways? Jay

[Brian26]

Lamont just said last week legal recreational marijuana is a top priority of his. National news outlets are running his statements saying CT will be the next state. I think we see full recreational sales next year.

There are already tons of medical grow operations and dispensaries here. It would be easy to begin rec sales as the infrastructure is already in place.

Statement from last week from Lamont.

Connecticut Democratic Governor-elect Ned Lamont has reaffirmed his commitment to pushing for legalizing recreational marijuana, as sales began in Massachusetts Tuesday. I

Lamont said marijuana legalization would be one of his legislative priorities when the state General Assembly convenes in January.

[OyCrumbler]

Originally Posted by JayCT

I agree. Though I do not support these on an ethical level, whether we like it or not, they are here because other states around us are legalizing them. We have little choice but to follow along. This is the same as tolls. Every other state around us has them so we might as well join them and provide our transportation system with much needed funding. Why should 30% of the traffic on our highway continue to pay little to nothing to use our highways? Jay

So will the cuts that occurred under Malloy combined with tolls and recreational cannabis sales (and reduction in cost of incarceration / court proceedings for cannabis) be enough to address CT's budgetary woes?

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by OyCrumbler

So will the cuts that occurred under Malloy combined with tolls and recreational cannabis sales (and reduction in cost of incarceration / court proceedings for cannabis) be enough to address CT's budgetary woes?

That's an interesting question. I wonder if anyone has looked at the cost savings of legalization. Jay

[Chazbme99]

I think legalized sports betting will bring in more money than legal weed. This state is looking to snatch any revenue / tax they can get their hands on. More money in general fund = more wasteful spending. I want to see certain monies put into " lock boxes". Tolls = transportation Weed / Sports Betting = Education.
Legalized weed will take at least 2 years before we get it here. It needs to be on the ballot next November. Then if approved, the long task of licensing and inspections. Red tape to the next level.
I think Sports Betting will be here sooner. We already have casinos with RaceBooks ready to go. Otb locations throughout the state. Online sports betting apps are the real money maker. New Jersey got going very quickly in the summer and is thriving.

[Stylo]

I drove by NETA Northampton recently and the lines are insane. Hundreds of people. Was going to check it out, but not worth it.

[OyCrumbler]

Supposedly there will be a dispensary opening up in Easthampton before the end of the year.

[mdovell]

Well a few things.

1)Springfield is going to approve up to 15 shops and that's about 10 minutes from the boarder.

2)It could take years for the regulation to be ironed out between zoning and state licensing.


Sports betting can't happen. Why not?

MGM has the sole licence with the NBA, MLB, WNBA and NHL. Unless MGM gets a casino in CT it won't exist.. Period

After mass legalizes sports betting it will take about three months for it to be allowed at mgm springfield.

I'm sorry but CT is just too slow to the game. It needs to totally revamp how the state and local government works to make a real economic impact.