Vermont Wants to Legalize Cannabis in a New Way

Vermont is looking to join Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and the District of Columbia in 2016 by legalizing cannabis.

Peter Shumlin, Vermont’s Governor, stated he would use the legislative process to decriminalize cannabis, instead of a voter referendum like the other states have done.

During his State of the State address, Shumlin calculated that over 80,000 of his constituents used cannabis in the last year. He believes that legislators need to act promptly in an effort to stop the growth of a black market in Vermont. “That’s why I will work with you to craft the right bill that thoughtfully and carefully eliminates the era of prohibition that is currently failing us so miserably,” he said, according to a copy of the address on his website.

The Democratic Governor believes a cannabis initiative should consist of a legal market that keeps cannabis away from minors, an edible cannabis ban and a strong tax law that will cripple the state’s black market.“Revenue from pot taxes must be used to boost addiction prevention, and police helped in dealing with impaired drivers,” he said.

Shumlin’s address was applauded by the Drug Policy Alliance, a pro-legalization group, and they hope other governors will follow. “I’m hopeful this is the start of a new trend,” said Ethan Nadelmann, the group’s Executive Director. Under Shumlin, Vermont is currently one of 20 states that have decriminalized cannabis possession. “The outdated war on drugs has also failed,” said Shumlin, “and there is no greater example than our nation’s marijuana laws.”