Thursday, January 25, 2018

Vermont governor signs cannabis legalization bill

Vermont Governor Signs Marijuana Legalization Into Law - Tom Angell, Forbes:

January 22, 2018 - "Vermont is officially the ninth state to legalize marijuana, and the first to end cannabis prohibition through an act of lawmakers.

"'I personally believe that what adults do behind closed doors and on private property is their choice, so long as it does not negatively impact the health and safety of others, especially children,' Gov. Phil Scott (R) said in a statement accompanying a legalization bill he signed into law on Monday.

"Under the legislation ... people over 21 years of age will be allowed to legally possess up to one ounce of marijuana and grow as many as two mature and four immature cannabis plants. Commercial marijuana sales will not be allowed under the new law ... set to take effect on July 1....

"Vermont’s legislative move signals a milestone in the evolving politics of marijuana. Polls consistently show majority voter support for legalization, and more politicians are beginning to see the issue as a winning one they should embrace rather than run away from.

"State lawmakers approved the legislation earlier this month, just days after U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions moved to rescind Obama-era guidance that has generally allowed states to implement their own marijuana laws without federal interference....

"Now that the bill allowing possession and home cultivation has been signed into law in Vermont, supporters appear ready to keep pressing toward full-scale commercial legalization.

"'It’s up to citizens across the state whether or not we see a bill like that pass this year with their participation in the process,' Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman (Progressive) said at a press conference earlier this month. 'I would like to see that. I think every year we go by not doing it, we are perpetuating the underground, unregulated, unjust system that we have today while other states are moving forward.'

" The Senate approved bills to allow legal marijuana sales last year and in 2016, but they didn’t gain traction in the House, which favored the noncommercial approach. "

Read more: https://www.forbes.com/sites/tomangell/2018/01/22/vermont-governor-signs-marijuana-legalization-into-law/#2c147e93526a
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