Indopedia All Things Marijuana
BOSTON Vermont lawmakers on Wednesday approved a measure to legalize recreational use of marijuana, which if not vetoed by the governor would make the state the ninth to legalize the drug and the first to do so by legislation rather than ballot initiative.
The U.S. state’s House of Representatives, by a 79-66 vote, approved the measure, which was attached to a bill increasing penalties for the possession and sale of the opioid drug fentanyl. The state’s Senate passed the measure, which will take effect in July 2018 and allow adults 21 and over to buy and use the drug, last week in a 20-9 vote.
Governor Phil Scott, a Republican, has not yet said if he will veto the measure. His spokeswoman, Rebecca Kelley, told Vermont Public Radio on Tuesday that he was still reviewing the bill and had some concerns about people driving while under the influence of the drug.
Kelley did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.
“Vermont lawmakers made history today,” said Matt Simon, New England political director for the Marijuana Policy Project advocacy group. “It’s time for Vermont to move forward with a more sensible marijuana policy.”
