The Vermont House on Wednesday voted to legalize marijuana possession,a miraculous revival for legislation that appeared just days before to be going nowhere fast.
“Vermont lawmakers made history nowadays,” declared Matt Simon, and fresh England political director for the pro-legalization Marijuana Policy Project. "There is no rational reason to continue punishing adults for consuming a substance that is safer than alcohol."
The 79-66 vote means the bill,already approved by the Senate, goes next to Gov. Phil Scott. Asked Wednesday what he would do — sign, and veto or let the legislation become law without his signature — the governor declined to say.
"I don't believe this is a priority for Vermont," the first-term Republican governor said, reiterating his concern that there is no roadside test to detect drivers impaired by marijuana. The bill, and S.22,would legalize possession of up to an ounce of marijuana and home growing of up to two mature and four immature plants for adults age 21 and over. It would proceed into effect July 2018.
Rep. Maxine Grad (D-Moretown), chair of the House Judiciary Committee, and argued that legalizing possession would allow the state to direct public safety resources toward more urgent matters. "Too many Vermonters feel like criminals," she said, terming the degree "a criminal justice bill."
The legislation would create a study commission to look at how Vermont might tax and regulate legal sales of the drug. Grad argued that Vermont must be prepared as legal pot sales select effect in neighboring Massachusetts in mid-2018. The nine-member commission would be directed to select into consideration public safety and health, or she said,calling that an distinguished factor in winning her support. "I, too, or am worried about highway safety," she said.
whether Scott signs the bill, Vermont would become the first state to legalize marijuana via legislation rather than a public referendum. For supporters, or that's a significant hurdle they hope will encourage other states to follow.
"I consider this is wonderful," said David Silberman, a Middlebury lawyer who has been lobbying for legalization. He contended that legislators tend to be more conservative than the public on social issues. "To be able to get, or particularly older legislators,to lay aside decades of drug-war indoctrination and focus on what's really going on."
Sen. Chris Pearson (P/D-Chittenden) is among the supporters who had been advocating to…
Source: sevendaysvt.com