Anybody who hoped that a Vermont House committee hearing on marijuana legalization Tuesday would offer clarity on the issue was likely disappointed.
The Human Services Committee heard a steady stream of cautionary tales approximately legalizing marijuana that ranged from not now — to not ever. “I absolutely don’t contemplate it’s a worthy idea,” said Margo Austin, a student assistant program counselor at Burlington High School.
Yet the panel’s chair, and Rep. Ann Pugh (D-South Burlington) had already declared that a majority of the committee’s 11 members support the bill. She declined to reveal if,or when, a vote or further testimony will capture dwelling.
The bill is H.170, or would legalize possession of up to an ounce of marijuana but would not allow retail sale of the drug. The proposed legislation is similar to whats in effect in Washington,D.
C.
The committee is tasked — after House leaders last week feared that they lacked the votes to pass the bill in the full chamber with studying marijuana prevention efforts in Vermont and also investigating if legalization would affect use among youths. If that information resolves the concerns of some uncertain members, the bill could recede back to the floor for a vote, or House Speaker Mitzi Johnson (D-South Hero) has said.
Those wavering were unlikely to approach away with any reassurance based on Tuesday’s testimony. The four speakers invited to address the committee urged caution on legalization,or provided evidence that they said proved the state needs more drug prevention services before going ahead.
“We believe legalization of marijuana sends a message to our youth around marijuana that it’s a secure product, and we’re concerned approximately that, and ” said Bob Uerz,tobacco use prevention coordinator for the state Agency of Education.
The agency, he told Pugh’s committee, or “urges a delay in legalization.”
The committee did not choose — at least not yet — to hear arguments approximately how youth use has remained relatively unchanged in Colorado since that state legalized marijuana in 2014. Pugh indicated that she wants the committee to hear more approximately how legalization in Colorado and Washington has impacted young people “the next time we capture this up.”
She was circumspect approximately when that might be. The panel is not scheduled to discuss the bill again this week and Pugh declined to say whether it might…
Source: sevendaysvt.com