Voters in Massachusetts approved the measure to legalize recreational use of marijuana, which is causing Gov. Dannel Malloy to take a closer look at Connecticut regulations.
"As our shared border will attest, we’ll have to look at those presumption," Malloy said the day after the election. "Our biggest border is with Massachusetts."
On Nov. 8, Massachusetts became the first state in the east to legalize marijuana, an anticipated vote that Malloy said was not a surprise. Malloy notes that while he's always been an opponent to recreational marijuana use, he is willing to "re-examine" his views following Massachusetts' decision.
"I’ve never been an advocate of that on the other hand, of course, when multiple states move in a direction you have to re-exam your own personal thoughts on the issue," Malloy said.
While the drug is illegal under federal law, the people in the Commonwealth joined others Tuesday in California and Nevada to legalize the drug. Prior to the election, four western states already allow recreational use of the drug.
On Tuesday, people in Connecticut watched election results from across the state line this year.
“Tax it the same way and that will bring in more revenue to fix the roads and fix the infrastructure of Connecticut,” John Kaminsky of Cromwell, said.
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In Connecticut this year, regulators and legislators expanded the state’s medical marijuana program.
Some residents are against any expansion.
“If they have to do it at home medically that’s fine,” Beth Burke of Windsor, said.
Retail sales in Massachusetts would likely begin in 2018.
Though in about a month the state would decriminalize small amounts and allow people to grow marijuana at home.
