[420 Girl]

HARTFORD, Conn. - Two Connecticut lawmakers say the state is spending too much money prosecuting people caught with small amounts of marijuana, and they're calling for fines instead of arrests.

Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney and Sen. Toni Harp are hoping the state's growing budget deficit helps convince their peers that decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana is a good idea.

The two New Haven Democrats want Connecticut to do what Massachusetts did in November and impose fines on people caught with 1 ounce or less of marijuana.

Harvard researchers found that Massachusetts state police had been spending about $30 million a year on arresting and investigating low-level marijuana users. There's no similar cost estimate for Connecticut.

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