Cannabis advocates handed out joints at the State Capitol Tuesday in protest of a bill that would ban large marijuana gifting events like the one they held on.
Supporters of the legislation said it would help keep sales in the market regulated; some hemp and cannabis advocates were wary it would re-criminalize marijuana.
Hundreds of shoppers filtered through rows of vendors selling novelty art and clothing earlier this year at High Bazaar, a Hamden festival where a “gift” of a marijuana product often accompanied the items they purchased.
But the High Bazaar parties are on hold for now, after the town of Hamden claimed permitting violations. And while a hearing in that civil case is scheduled for later this week, the state legislature is considering a bill that would outlaw such “gifting.”