Vermont Coalition to Regulate Marijuana urge to voters to call Governor Phil Scott to tell him to support H. 170 was a success. Late Wednesday, May 3rd, the Vermont House gave final approval and narrowly passed the bill, H.170, 75 to 71. This bill would make it legal for a person 21 years of age and older to possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana and the cultivation of up to two mature and four immature plants but would not tax and regulate sales.

Although the bill passed after hours of debating, it still has to move to the Senate where action is deemed unlikely before the session ends on Saturday.This would mean that further action of the bill may not happen until next year during the second half of the legislative biennium.

Supporters for the bill want to follow in neighboring state's footsteps and have a taxed and regulated system. There are already approximately 80,000 Vermonters who regularly consume pot and why should they be treated as lawbreakers if they decide to do it in the privacy of their home. Supporters do not agree with Rep. George Till’s views. He said "We can expect a whole lot more traffic accidents, probably with fatalities and we can expect there'll be an increase in other drugs, including heroin, as a result of legalization."

Till is not the only one with reservations about passing version of a recreational marijuana legalization bill. Gov. Phil Scott has also expressed similar feelings. But why? The Senate has already approved a bill in April 2017 in regards to the legalization of marijuana that goes far beyond this limited House bill. This bill will legalize, tax and regulate marijuana, much like that of bills in other states. The Senate wants to tax-and-regulate the marijuana market similar to the Colorado style system.

Rep. Jean O’Sullivan even offered an amendment seeking to create a system similar to what the Senate’s tax-and-regulate bill but was rejected on a 42 to 99 vote. Final approval is much wanted from supporters. This H. 170 bill was a responsible and incremental step forward for cannabis policy in Vermont. Limited home cultivation provides a small-scale alternative to the illicit or underground market. Hopefully this bill is just the first steps in helping Vermont become a legal medical or recreational marijuana state. Thanks for reading!

 

Taylor Dahlquist

Texas native who finds herself traveling to new and exciting places or just a low key weekend spent with friends enjoying a beer or two after a long hike.