Indopedia All Things Marijuana
Provided Governor Phil Scott does not veto the measure when it hits his desk, Vermont will become the next state to legalize marijuana for recreational use.
The House approved measure S.22 by a count of 79-66, setting the stage for legal weed in Vermont for adults over the age of 21, effective July 2018.
Should the Governor sign off, Vermont would be the ninth state in the U.S. to end cannabis prohibition, and the third in New England after Massachusetts and Maine.
Of note, the passing of this law would make Vermont the first state in the U.S. to legalize marijuana through legislation instead of a ballot initiative. Vermont does not conduct ballot initiatives, meaning all bills must be brought forth by lawmakers during legislative sessions.
The Vermont state Senate approved S.22 last week by a tally of 20-9, moving the measure along onto the House for a final vote.
Governor Scott, a Republican who took a “never-say-never” stance when asked about cannabis legalization last Fall and supports industrial hemp, has not indicated yet whether he will veto the bill. Rebecca Kelley, Gov. Scott’s Spokeswoman, went on Vermont Public Radio Tuesday to let listeners know that…
