Don't Bring Mass. Marijuana Over CT Border: State PD

HARTFORD, CT — State Police warned Connecticut residents that purchasing recreational marijuana in Massachusetts and bringing it over the state line can net a fine or even an arrest depending on the amount.

Sales of recreational marijuana went into effect Tuesday in Massachusetts at locations in Leicester and Northhampton.

"Still possessing a small amount of marijuana will result in a fine while a larger amount will result in an arrest," State Police said in a statement. "We also don't suggest trying to sneak it onto a plane or in your luggage during your holiday travels because marijuana is illegal under federal law, even in states that legalize it."

Connecticut has decriminalized possession of small amounts of recreational marijuana and legalized medicinal marijuana for a number of conditions.

Alaska, California, Colorado, D.C. Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont and Washington have legalized recreational possession and Michigan recently joined the list, but the law hasn't gone into effect.

Gov.-elect Ned Lamont campaigned on legalizing recreational marijuana. A 2015 Quinnipiac University poll found that 63 percent of voting adults support recreational legalization.

The Connecticut Office of Fiscal Analysis found that Connecticut could eventually raise more than $100 million in taxes and license fees from recreational marijuana legalization if done under a model similar to Colorado and $45 million if done under a Massachusetts model.

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