Pubdate: Tue, 05 Apr 2016
Source: Day, The (New London,CT)
Copyright: 2016 The Day Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.theday.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/293

PREVENTION GROUP LAUNCHES STATE 'STOP POT' CAMPAIGN

The Governor's Prevention Partnership announced Monday that it has 
formed a statewide coalition to prevent the legalization of 
recreational marijuana in Connecticut.

Along with the Connecticut Association of Prevention Professionals 
and others, the partnership urged lawmakers to "consider the best 
interests of young people in the debate over legalization," according 
to a news release.

"Parents especially need to understand that marijuana is very harmful 
and addictive," said Jill Spineti, president and chief executive 
officer of the partnership. "Marijuana has a significant negative 
impact on a child's physical and mental health, development and 
overall well-being."

The partnership said it recently launched its opposition campaign 
#StopPotCT and encourages all residents to attend an informational 
hearing at 10 a.m. today at the Legislative Office Building, as well 
as to contact their legislators to voice their opposition.

The partnership also announced that it will host a Marijuana Policy 
Boot Camp from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 13 at Goodwin College in East Hartford.

Policy experts, legislators, youth advocates, nonprofit leaders and 
others are being invited "to create a cohesive message that will 
impact public opinion."

The keynote speaker will be Ben Cort from the University of Colorado 
Hospital and board member of Smart Approaches to Marijuana, who will 
share information about the negative effects of recreational 
marijuana legalization in Colorado, the news release said.

For more information, visit www.preventionworksct.org.
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