We have been following the legislature in Vermont particularly closely this session as you can see by our articles here and here.
The Marijuana Policy Project (MPP) released this news about the marijuana legalization bill circulating through both the Vermont State Senate and House that has been approved and is now en route to the Governor’s office to become a law!
Vermont would be the first state to legalize adult marijuana use through legislation instead of by a public vote.
As first reported by the Marijuana Policy Project:
Vermont Legislature Passes Bill to Make Marijuana Legal for Adults; Historic Measure Now Headed to the Governor’s Desk
The House voted this week to concur with the Senate’s version of S. 22, which would eliminate penalties for personal marijuana possession and cultivation by adults 21 and older beginning in July 2018; it would also create a study commission on regulating and taxing marijuana for adult use
MONTPELIER, Vt. — A bill that would make marijuana legal for adults in Vermont has received final approval from state legislators and is headed to the desk of Gov. Phil Scott. If he signs it or allows it to become law without his signature, Vermont would be the first state to make marijuana legal for adults via its legislative body.
The House of Representatives voted Wednesday to concur with the version of S. 22 that passed last Friday in the Senate. Beginning in July 2018, it would eliminate Vermont’s civil penalty for possessing one ounce or less of marijuana and remove penalties for possession of up to two mature marijuana plants and up to four immature plants. It would also create a study commission to develop legislation to regulate and tax marijuana for adult use.
“Vermont lawmakers made history today,” said Matt Simon, New England political director for the Marijuana Policy Project. “The Legislature has taken a crucial step toward ending the failed policy of marijuana prohibition. There is no rational reason to continue punishing adults for consuming a substance that is safer than alcohol.
“It’s time for Vermont to move forward with a more sensible marijuana policy,” Simon said. “The voters and the Legislature are behind it, and we hope the governor will be, too.”
And, as stated in our most recent article on this topic, a substantial majority of Vermont voters are in favor of the policy change proposed in H. 170, according to a statewide poll released at the end of March. Fifty-seven percent said they support allowing adults 21 and older to possess and grow limited amounts of marijuana. Only 39% are opposed. The Public Policy Polling survey of 755 Vermont voters was conducted March 20-21 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.6%.
We look forward to bringing you the good news once this bill becomes law!
