Governor Ned Lamont and the Mashantucket Tribe announced that they are pushing a cannabis compact.
Marijuana is legal and sold across Connecticut, but the compact would provide a new revenue stream. Under the agreement, the tribe would be able to sell marijuana and potentially operate lounges where customers could smoke.
Republican lawmakers have raised concerns about the plan, sending a letter to the governor and Democratic leaders. They say the compact raises significant questions regarding state oversight, potentially diverts substantial tax revenue away from Connecticut taxpayers and poses serious potential health risks to Connecticut citizens.
The tax issue centers on the tribe’s status as a sovereign nation, which means they could keep the profits and taxes from marijuana sales.
