In a vote of 17-12, the Vermont Senate approved Senate Bill 241 which could effectively end marijuana prohibition in the state and allow the cultivation and sale of marijuana for adult use. The bill will advance to the House of Representatives for deliberation and parallel approval.
The approved bill would make it legal for adults 21 years old and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana and put in place a tightly regulated system for the operation of licensed marijuana cultivation sites, testing facilities, and retail stores.
The bill also creates a commission that shall study and examine issues related to edible marijuana products and home cultivation, which would not be allowed under the bill. Consumption of marijuana in public would remain illegal as well as driving under the influence of marijuana. If approved, the new law would not take effect until January 2018.
A dozen local clergy and faith leaders from across Vermont sent a letter to members of the Senate encouraging them to support the bill while Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell and two former attorneys general, Jerome Diamond and Kimberly Cheney also sent similar letters to legislators for the bill’s approval.
The Castleton Polling Institute conducted a survey which shows that 55% of Vermonters support passing a law to legalize and regulate marijuana for adult use with only 32% opposing the legislation.
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