Some Marijuana Cases Still Prosecuted in Connecticut After Legalization

Despite the legalization of recreational marijuana in Connecticut in 2021, Chief State’s Attorney Patrick Griffin confirmed during a public hearing Wednesday that the state is still prosecuting people previously charged with possession, Jaden Edison reports for the Hartford Courant. Griffin affirmed that all 13 state attorneys agree that these offenses should not be penalized and proposed a policy to address the issue.

The move comes as part of a broader effort to right the wrongs of the war on drugs, which disproportionately impacted communities of color. Connecticut has also been waiting for the implementation of a delayed clean slate program to erase criminal records for individuals with low-level convictions.