Senator Has Marijuana Concerns

Sen. John Kissel R-Enfield, says he has concerns about the medical marijuana bill,
under debate in legislative committee, but he's even more concerned about another
bill that would decriminalize marijuana possession of under one ounce to a $99 fine.

On my radio program, Sen. Kissel said "Decriminalization is the real scary thing.
There's no distinction in the bill on whether a 14 year old or 40 year old is
caught with marijuana."

The senator is also concerned what message decriminalization would send to young
people. "I have a 15 year old and a seven year old."

The notion being advanced by supporters that decriminalization would lower crime
and prison rates also has Sen. Kissel disturbed. "As my colleague Rep. Larry
Caffero (R-Norwalk) said, 'Follow the money. Where are people going to get the
marijuana?' From organized crime. It's going to lead to more violent crime.
Besides, jails are not clogged with people in there for marijuana possession,
as supporters say."

To wit, a Litchfield Superior court judge recently handed down a four-year
suspended sentence and fine to a Cornwall man for growing 241 marijuana plants
in his home.

When the issue of problems other states have, following decriminalization of
marijuana possession, was brought up, Sen. Kissel said lawmakers who support
the bill did not have an answer for that either, apparently content to parade
out advocates of the bill to speak.

In other words, the bill is so loosely written, liberals will have to pass it in
order to see what's in it.