Backers of marijuana decriminalization have failed in their effort to bring the measure to the full Vermont House for a vote. WAMC’s North Country Bureau Chief Pat Bradley reports…
The measure had been held up in the House Judiciary Committee, with House Speaker Shap Smith opposed to it.
On Tuesday, Representative Oliver Olsen, a Jamaica Republican, called for a vote in the House to pull the bill out of committee and bring it to the floor for debate. That motion failed on a vote of 119 to 21.
The bill called for someone caught with an ounce or less of marijuana to be punishable by a civil fine of $150. The person would not have a criminal record.
Even some backers voted against Olsen's motion, saying that pulling the bill from committee would violate legislative process.
I’m Pat Bradley, WAMC News.
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