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Vermont House Legalizes Marijuana And Sends Bill To Governor

Picture of marijuana plant
US Fish and Wildlife Service/Wikimedia Commons Public Domain

The Vermont House has voted to legalize recreational use of marijuana in the state.
On a vote of 79 to 66, the House on Wednesday afternoon passed a bill that has already been passed by the state Senate. The bill now goes to Republican Governor Phil Scott, who has expressed reservations about it.

The vote came after an hour of debate.
“Are we going to promote something to the general public that has the negative effects that this has?”  
 “Let’s try to get rid of the black market, turn it into the green market.”

Under the legislation, small amounts of marijuana will be legal to possess and grow starting in July 2018. Meanwhile, a nine-member commission would develop a law that would tax and regulate marijuana and present it to the Legislature next year.

The proposal would eliminate penalties for possession of one ounce of marijuana and two mature and four immature plants for people over age 21. It would retain criminal penalties for possessing larger amounts.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2017. All rights reserved.

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