State lawmakers in Hartford today discussed legalizing recreational marijuana .

The General Law Committee held a public hearing for House Bill 54-58. The bill outlines regulations for the retail sale and personal growth of recreational marijuana. 

State lawmakers say 71 percent of Connecticut residents support legalizing the drug. Data shows one 1 of 7 Connecticut residents use marijuana each year. 

"When somebody tries this drug and finds out it's not as bad as they thought it was, what are they going to think about heroin, methamphetamines, and opioids?" asked state Rep. Josh Elliott (D-Hamden). "It's important for us to be telling truthful stories from the vantage point of government and to this date, we have not been telling truthful stories. My goal is when we make this drug legal and re-regulate it, we start beginning telling truthful stories."