Connecticut State Senator Tony Hwang called on Governor Lamont to veto a recently approved bill expanding access to cannabis, according to a May 15 op-ed published in the Hartford Courant. Hwang said the legislation, Public Act No. 26-8, could worsen road safety in Connecticut by increasing THC potency limits and expanding product types.
The issue matters because Connecticut has seen high rates of dangerous driving behaviors such as road rage, aggressive driving, and impaired driving. “Although reports show that roadway fatalities are down compared to the same point last year, we already have 55 people who have been killed on our roadways to date. We are not even halfway through 2026,” Hwang said.
Hwang wrote that law enforcement continues to warn about impaired and distracted driving and that current efforts like Vision Zero aim to eliminate roadway fatalities. He argued that expanding cannabis access without reliable roadside impairment testing creates a public safety gap: “Unlike alcohol, where blood alcohol levels provide a clear and enforceable standard through breathalyzer tests, there is no universally accepted roadside test for cannabis/substance impairment. Law enforcement officers are left to make difficult judgment calls, while impaired drivers face little deterrence and consequences.” He added that this increases risks for all drivers and communities.
Hwang opposed recreational marijuana legalization in 2021 over concerns about societal costs and public safety impacts. He stated those concerns remain today with the latest expansion: “This latest expansion is driven, in large part, with the goal to boost Connecticut’s economy: job growth, tax revenue, and competition with neighboring states. I argue that public policy should consider the bigger picture.” According to Hwang’s op-ed, he believes recent legislation was not adequately vetted by relevant committees such as Public Safety or Public Health.
He concluded by urging policymakers not to prioritize short-term financial gains over long-term health and safety: “Connecticut families deserve safe roads, responsible policy, and leadership that prioritizes long-term public health and safety over short-term financial gains. Before we expand further, we must reexamine that we are not putting more lives at risk. Because when it comes to roadway safety, we cannot afford to get this wrong.”
