Susan Klein of Brookfield came to the Capitol with her sister, Jennifer, on Monday to urge lawmakers not to move forward with the legalization of marijuana.

She and her husband, Kevin, were on their way home from a concert three years ago when a car on I-84 crossed over to their side and crashed into their car, killing Kevin. 

It turned out the 18-year-old driver was intoxicated by the THC in cannabis.

“The devastation is uncountable and I do not want this to another family,” she said.

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Susan also told lawmakers the case took so long because testing for cannabis intoxication is so uncertain. 

“It’s really difficult for me to understand why anyone, why this legalization or recreational pot is even a question, is even a question. It’s just so obviously wrong,” added Susan.

Andy and Tiffany Davidson of Westport described the rapid THC addiction of their 17-year-old son. 

Tiffany said, “My bright, enthusiastic, competent and curious son became a shell of his former self in
just six short months by vaping 97% THC oil.”

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But advocates for legalization said that with the tax revenue earmarked for the cities and the same with cannabis business opportunities, it’s worth the risks. 

Kebra Smith-Bolden of the Connecticut Coalition to Regulate Marijuana said, “This is an economic opportunity not just for people to consume or get high but for people to really create and partake in an industry and look at new careers and build generational wealth and legacy.”

As we’ve been reporting, this final bill would set the taxes on legal marijuana at about 20 percent, with most going back to the cites. The committee is expected to vote on the plan later this week.