The cannabis legalization forecast looks good for Connecticut, where complete legalization is likely to unfurl across the state this year. Connecticut is one of a number of U.S. States gearing up for legal weed, with Illinois, Minnesota and Rhode Island all looking promising.

Since the House speaker, Senate president and governor-elect are all backing cannabis reform, complete cannabis legalization in Connecticut could, very soon, become a reality. During a podcast interview with The Record-Journal in December, House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz (D) stated that the “Nutmeg State” should refrain from legalizing weed “just for the money.”

However, he approves of the fact that consumers would be able to get their hands on regulated bud in a safe and controlled way, should legalization ensue.

“[Cannabis is] here in the state from the states that allow it and right now we’re not able to ensure its safety,” Aresimowicz declared. “So if nothing else, we should do it in a way that’s consistent with one of the best medical marijuana programs in the country, which is the state of Connecticut.”

“I think we should legalize it,” he added. “I will work with my caucus to get there, but it needs to be done in a responsible fashion that mirrors our medical marijuana program.”

Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin (D) responded to the interview a day after it was published. The 39-year-old politician and lawyer – who has served as the Mayor of Hartford City since the beginning of 2016 – has aired his pro-cannabis opinions in public before.

“Good to see momentum building for legalization and regulation,” he said, adding that Connecticut ought to “dedicate revenue raised from marijuana taxes to opioid and other addiction treatment—and to communities most affected both by the epidemics and the war on drugs.”

“Speaker Aresimowicz’s comments make me even more optimistic that 2019 will finally be the year Connecticut starts to regulate marijuana like alcohol,” said the director of the Connecticut Coalition to Regulate Marijuana, Sam Tracy, during an interview with the Marijuana Moment.

“With Governor Lamont’s campaign pledge to make legalization a priority and Democrats also in solid control of the Senate, the speaker’s promise to work with his caucus to pass a bill puts us even closer to ending prohibition in the Constitution State.”

Gov.-elect Ned Lamont (D), during an appearance at a transition press conference, said that legalizing cannabis in Connecticut “is going to be one of the priorities” for the legislative session.

The sponsor of a 2017 cannabis legalization bill, Senate President Martin Looney (D), believes that by ending cannabis prohibition, Connecticut could benefit from “a significant revenue item.”