Connecticut House Passes Cannabis Bill

0:00It's April 22nd. Welcome in. This is Hartford News Today, where local news meets AI. I'm Cory with the story. Connecticut's house just passed a bill shaking of cannabis rules late Monday night. It raises THC limits on flour and infused drinks, let's retailer sell topicals, tablets and capsules, and open sales to out-of-state medical, patients. Supporters call it a smart update to match booming markets next door. As legalizing recreational weed in 2021, lawmakers have tweaked rules on things like THC drinks and hemp sales. This move scraps some old caps that were holding back businesses, especially after federal changes last year cramped growth. Democrats like Rep Roland Lamar pushed it hard, saying it's creating hundreds of jobs and tens of millions in state revenue. They argue, regulated products are safer than black market stuff kids get into. Republicans fired back, warning high THC spark psychosis, ER visits for teens, and acts

1:00as a gateway drug. One amendment to freeze THC caps failed by just six votes. Critics also hit changes cutting pharmacist hours on site to eight a week, with video consults for 35 more, saying a risk patient's safety for. Sick as folks. Now the bill heads to the Senate, aiming to fuel the stronger market, without losing ground to New York or Massachusetts. It's all about balancing business boom, with those real health worries.