Cannabis Voter Guide Connecticut State House of Representatives August 11, 2020 Primary Election
See below for a voter guide outlining where each primary candidate for the Connecticut State House of Representatives stands on legalizing and regulating cannabis for adults.
Candidates in green have indicated their support for legalization in response to our two-question candidate survey, in a public statement, or by voting to advance a legalization bill out of committee. Candidates in red expressed opposition to legalization, and candidates in orange are not known to have taken a public stance or replied that they are undecided.
If you don’t know your state House district, you can look it up here. After you fill in your town/city, street name, and street number, your legislators will display. Look for the district listed as "State House, District _________."
If your district is not listed in our voter guide below, there is not a competitive primary. Check back for our voter guide leading up to the General Election.
The Connecticut Coalition to Regulate Marijuana (of which MPP is a convening member) sent the following two survey questions to candidates for state House. The voter guide below is based on their responses, public statements, and incumbents’ past votes. If a candidate in your district has not taken a public position, we strongly encourage you to ask them these questions yourself! We would be happy to update the voter guide with their answers (please email dward@mpp.org with any updates).
(1) Eleven states, including neighboring Massachusetts, have passed laws making cannabis possession legal for adults. Do you support making it legal for adults 21 and older to possess cannabis in Connecticut?
(2) Massachusetts, Maine, and eight other states have passed laws regulating and taxing the production and retail sale of cannabis for use by adults. A bill proposed by Gov. Lamont to allow the production, sale, regulation, and taxation of cannabis for adults stalled last year due to a COVID-related capitol closure. Do you support regulating and taxing cannabis for retail sale to adults 21 and older?
Rep. Brandon McGee — McGee responded to our questionnaire, saying he (1) supports making it legal for adults 21 and older to possess cannabis in Connecticut, and (2) supports regulating and taxing cannabis for retail sale to adults 21 and older.
Craig Stallings — Stallings responded to our questionnaire, saying he (1) supports making it legal for adults 21 and older to possess cannabis in Connecticut, and (2) supports regulating and taxing cannabis for retail sale to adults 21 and older. He offered these comments: "Connecticut has a deficit around 2 billion dollars, the local tax, state tax, and distribution tax will eliminate the state deficit. The decriminalization of Marijuana under a half ounce didn't stop citizens from being arrested, police would charge people with drug paraphernalia. Legalizing Cannabis would also open business and employment opportunities in a growing industry." He also said, "Cannabis is an 80 billion dollar industry and the state would benefit greatly from the tax revenue. The state could yield revenue three to four different ways and fund education, youth, and elderly programs."
House District 15: Democratic Primary
Rep. Bobby Gibson – Has not responded to the candidate survey. In February 2020, Gibson said he is undecided on legalization and gathering more information.
Danielle Wong – Wong responded to our questionnaire, saying she (1) supports making it legal for adults 21 and older to possess cannabis in Connecticut, and (2) supports regulating and taxing cannabis for retail sale to adults 21 and older.
House District 20: Democratic Primary
Kate Farrar — Farrar responded to our questionnaire, saying she (1) supports making it legal for adults 21 and older to possess cannabis in Connecticut, and (2) supports regulating and taxing cannabis for retail sale to adults 21 and older.
Sherry Haller — Haller responded to our questionnaire, saying she (1) supports making it legal for adults 21 and older to possess cannabis in Connecticut, and (2) supports regulating and taxing cannabis for retail sale to adults 21 and older.
House District 24: Democratic Primary
Richard Lacourciere — Lacourciere responded to our questionnaire, saying he (1) supports making it legal for adults 21 and older to possess cannabis in Connecticut, and (2) supports regulating and taxing cannabis for retail sale to adults 21 and older. He offered these comments: "Yes I support making marijuana possession legal for adults, but not without restorative justice for those whose lives have been hurt by the war on drugs. There is a clear line between those who have been affected by the war on drugs and the over policing of communities of color. This is just one way we can begin to address the systemic injustices that have been done to these communities in an effort to eventually make them whole again." He also said, "Yes I support regulating and taxing cannabis for retail sales to adults, but when doing so, we need to make sure that the people at the front of the line entering this new industry in Connecticut are those who have been disproportionately affected will be at the front of the line, and not the already rich and powerful interests that would seek to monopolize it."
Manny Sanchez – Has not responded to our candidate questionnaire, and is not known to have taken a public stance on legalization.
House District 28: Democratic Primary
Amy Bello — Has not responded to our candidate questionnaire and is not known to have taken a public stance on legalization.
Paul Montinieri – Has not responded to our candidate questionnaire and is not known to have taken a public stance on legalization.
House District 30: Republican Primary
Jim Townsley — Has not responded to our candidate questionnaire and is not known to have taken a public stance on legalization.
Donna Veach — Has not responded to our candidate questionnaire and is not known to have taken a public stance on legalization.
House District 45: Democratic Primary
Mark DePonte – Has not responded to our candidate questionnaire and is not known to have taken a public stance on legalization.
Pam Patalano — Has not responded to our candidate questionnaire and is not known to have taken a public stance on legalization.
House District 82: Republican Primary
Ernestine Holloway – Holloway responded to our questionnaire, saying she (1) does NOT support making it legal for adults 21 and older to possess cannabis in Connecticut, and (2) does NOT support regulating and taxing cannabis for retail sale to adults 21 or older.
Mike Skelps — Has not responded to our candidate questionnaire and is not known to have taken a public stance on legalization.
House District 126: Democratic Primary
Rep. Charlie Stallworth — Has not responded to our candidate questionnaire, but he has been a vocal supporter. Rev. Stallworth stood with other clergy members who support ending cannabis prohibition at a February 2020 press conference, and said, “Much like alcohol prohibition in the 1920s, our efforts to deal with cannabis using law enforcement and the criminal justice system have been a total failure. Regulation will free up resources so that police can focus on more serious crimes and will also help improve police/ community relationships. And, instead of continuing to fuel organized crime, the money spent on cannabis in our state can and should be used to help revitalize communities that have been disproportionately harmed by enforcement of laws against cannabis.”
Tony Barr — Has not responded to our candidate questionnaire and is not known to have taken a public stance on legalization.
House District 128: Republican Primary
Joseph Borges — Has not responded to our candidate questionnaire and is not known to have taken a public stance on legalization.
Ethan Book — Has not responded to our candidate questionnaire and is not known to have taken a public stance on legalization.
House District 130: Democratic Primary
Rep. Antonio Felipe — Felipe responded to our questionnaire, saying he (1) supports making it legal for adults 21 and older to possess cannabis in Connecticut, and (2) supports regulating and taxing cannabis for retail sale to adults 21 and older. He also offered this comment: "The legalization of recreational marijuana is inevitably going to happen nationally. Connecticut should be ahead of the curve and take advantage of increased revenues while learning the pitfalls and adjusting accordingly."
Kelvin Ayala — Has not responded to our candidate questionnaire and is not known to have taken a public stance on legalization.
