CT Lawmakers Support Psychedelics, But Crack Down on Cannabis?

May 20, 2025 – Hartford, CT

In a confusing twist for advocates of drug policy reform, a recent vote comparison shows that several Connecticut lawmakers who voted to support psilocybin access also voted to increase criminal-style enforcement against cannabis users and small businesses.

Let’s break it down.

On May 12, the Appropriations Committee passed HB-7181, a bill to expand state enforcement of cannabis, hemp, and tobacco laws, including new police-style operations and funding for regulators to crack down on legal and unlicensed activity.

Just 15 legislators voted NO, standing with patient and consumer advocates. 33 voted YES to increase enforcement and penalties.

Then, just a week later, on May 19, the full House voted on HB-7065, a bill supporting psilocybin therapy pilot programs and future access.

74 legislators voted YES, signaling growing bipartisan interest in psychedelic reform.

But when we compare the two votes, a troubling pattern emerges.

Lawmakers Who Supported Psilocybin Access — But Also Voted for Cannabis Crackdowns:

These legislators voted YES on HB-7065 (Psilocybin Decriminalization) but also YES on HB-7181 (Cannabis Enforcement):

• Rep. Juan Candelaria – Yes to psilocybin, Yes to cannabis enforcement
• Rep. Eleni Kavros DeGraw – Yes / Yes
• Rep. Susan Johnson – Yes / Yes
• Rep. Christopher Rosario – Yes / Yes
• Rep. Kevin Ryan – Yes / Yes
• Rep. Edwin Vargas Sanchez – Yes / Yes
• Rep. Jane Garibay – Yes / Yes
• Rep. Jillian Gilchrest – Yes / Yes
• Rep. Brandon Gibson – Yes / Yes
• Rep. Joshua Haddad – Yes / Yes

These legislators voted for access to psilocybin therapy but also to fund and expand the War on Cannabis.

Legislators Who Were Consistent :

• Rep. Tim Ackert – No to both (Cannabis Enforcement and Psilocybin Decriminalization )

• Rep. Mark DeCaprio – No to both

(Cannabis Enforcement and Psilocybin Decriminalization )

Lawmakers Who Abstained or Were Absent on Cannabis Vote (HB-7181) But Voted YES on Psilocybin:

• Rep. Tony Exum – Abstained on cannabis enforcement, Yes to psilocybin
• Rep. Corey Paris – Abstained / Yes
• Rep. Maryam Khan Brown – Abstained / Yes
• Rep. Travis Simms – Voted Yes on cannabis enforcement, but Abstained on psilocybin

What This Means for Policy Advocates:

For many cannabis patients and small business owners, this vote split raises questions.

How can a legislator support access to psilocybin mushrooms—a federally banned substance—but also vote to criminalize, raid, and shut down cannabis cultivators, patients, and caregivers in Connecticut?

This voting inconsistency suggests that some lawmakers may be embracing the cultural “trend” of psychedelics, while still ignoring the ongoing harms of overregulating and criminalizing cannabis, especially among marginalized communities.

If you support real drug policy justice, it’s time to call out the contradictions.

ACTION STEP: Tag your legislator.

Ask them: Why did you vote Yes on psilocybin but also Yes to cannabis crackdowns?

Do you support true reform—or just what’s trendy?

RED - Voted Yes On Further Criminalizing Cannabis / HB 7181 but also Voted Yes On Decriminalizing Psilocybin

GREEN - Voted No On Drug War 2.0 and or Voted No on Decriminalizing Psilocybin

YELLOW - Abstained Vote