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Recreational Cannabis May Soon Come to Vermont

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“New year, new laws” seems to be the current theme for the Vermont legislature as its members work toward passing a bill that would legalize the cultivation and possession of adult-use cannabis. After several past attempts, many predict that 2018 will finally bring legal, recreational cannabis to Vermont residents. A renewed effort is underway to permit residents 21 years and older to possess an ounce or less of cannabis.

If legislation passes, it would make Vermont the first state to legalize cannabis through, “an act of legislation.” Typically, the issue recreational cannabis has been placed on ballot measures and left up to a popular vote. This particular bill also sets itself apart as it would only allow noncommercial cannabis, meaning retail sale would still be off the table for dispensaries looking to expand their business beyond medical cannabis. All other states that have legalized recreational cannabis allow commercial sale.

House Speaker, Mitzi Johnson, spoke with Vermont Public Radio to announce that the bill would be up for a vote in early January. However, this is not the first time legislatures have attempted to push a recreational cannabis bill through. Earlier this year, the state’s legislature passed a bill to allow cultivation and possession of cannabis, which was then vetoed by Governor Phil Scott. Since the bill was vetoed, the bill has been rewritten and perfected to win the approval of the Vermont governor whose main concern was child safety and risks of driving under the influence. After the veto, a similar bill passed the Senate but did not make it past House Republicans who voted against allowing the bill to utilize a shortcut.

Now scheduled for debate on January 4, 2018, the bill will be up for a vote once more and many are confident that a signature from Governor Scott is possible.

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