HARTFORD – State Representatives Vincent Candelora (R-86) and Noreen Kokoruda (R-101), co-hosted a "Know the Risks" press conference along with the Connecticut Chapter of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (CT SAM), Connecticut Association of Prevention Professionals (CAPP), students, advocates, law enforcement, health professionals, and local officials to discuss the implications and health risks associated with legalizing retail marijuana in Connecticut.

Recent findings were discussed by a number of speakers, many of whom highlighted how states that have already legalized marijuana now lead the nation in teen use. Experts from both urban and suburban areas mentioned the following points:

States that have legalized marijuana lead the U.S. in teen use (Source: www.samhsa.gov)

Kids who are dependent on marijuana are three times more likely to become addicted to heroin (Source: Centers for Disease Control)

Today's marijuana is much more potent than in the past and comes in many youth-friendly forms (Source: Smart Approaches to Marijuana)

Neurological risks for youth and adults under age 25 (Source: World Health Organization)

Connecticut existing marijuana laws do not contribute to mass incarceration (Source: www.opm.gov)

Colorado marijuana-related traffic deaths increased 48 percent following legalization (Source: The Legalization of Marijuana in Colorado: The Impact, p. 13)

When all costs are considered, there will be no revenue windfall (Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Economic Trends in Tobacco, March 3, 2017)

Within the Connecticut General Assembly during the 2019 legislative session, the topic of legalizing marijuana will continue to be a divided debate with advocates on both sides.

"Countless reputable studies have concluded that marijuana is addictive and harmful, regardless of claims made by the marijuana industry trying to refute this," said Rep. Candelora. "Simply put, legalizing marijuana is a money grab that would increase our state's disposable income, but would do so at the expense of our children and the health of our citizens. We should never make decisions without considering the risks associated with them, and in this case the risks are grave, and must be avoided at all costs. "

"Collecting tax revenue from legalizing retail marijuana is simply not worth the negative repercussions of doing so, many experts and researchers have verified these claims," Rep. Kokoruda added. "This is not a decision we can make lightly, especially when states that have already legalized retail marijuana are now experiencing the blow back of this decision."

CT SAM, an affiliate chapter to the National SAM organization, works to educate citizens on the science of marijuana and to promote health-first, smart policies and attitudes that decrease marijuana use and its consequences.

CAPP is the Connecticut affiliate of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), an alliance of organizations and individuals dedicated to a health-first approach to marijuana policy.

For more information visit: http://www.cappct.org/ct-sam.

Reps. Candelora and Kokoruda can be reached by phone at 800-842-1423 or by email at Vincent.Candelora@housegop.ct.gov and Noreen.Kokoruda@housegop.ct.gov.

For a link to the full press conference click here.

Rep. Candelora represents the 86th District communities of Durham, Guilford, North Branford and Wallingford. Rep. Kokoruda represents the 101st District communities of Durham and Madison.