State Sen. Gary Winfield On State’s New Marijuana Law: “I do think that the law gets it correct.” Connecticut has become the 19th state to legalize recreational marijuana. Starting Thursday, July 1, people will be allowed to have 1.5 ounces of pot -- or larger amounts in locked containers. Only people 21 and older will be allowed to have marijuana. The bill also automatically erases some previous cannabis convictions. Joining All Things Considered to talk more about how the law will work in practice going forward was the legislature’s Judiciary Committee co-chair, Gary Winfield. He told us this legislation addresses injustices that have been part of the war on drugs.