As of January 22, Governor Phil Scott signed the legalization bill into law. This historic measure has officially made Vermont the ninth state in the nation to have legalized cannabis for both medical and recreational purposes. Starting July 1, adults living in Vermont will be permitted to possess up to one ounce of cannabis, as well as grow up to six plants. A cannabis retail program has not yet been established, but legalizing the plant itself will surely lead to the state of Vermont introducing legal recreational weed into their local economy.
Governor of Vermont Expects To Sign Weed Legalization Bill By Monday
Last week, lawmakers in the state of Vermont passed a bill to legalize recreational marijuana. They did this entirely through state legislature, making history by becoming the first state to pass such a bill without a vote from the state’s residents. And now, a week later, the governor of Vermont expects to sign weed legalization bill by Monday.
The State of Weed in the State of Vermont
Believe it or not, it has only been but a mere two weeks since President Trump’s right-hand man Attorney General Jeff Sessions made “good” on his threats to crack down on states with legal cannabis. Those two weeks ago, Sessions rescinded a little Obama-era piece of legislation called the Cole Memo. Basically, the Cole Memo was put in place to prevent the federal government from interfering in state’s rights. Specifically, those regarding the decriminalization or full-out legalization of cannabis.
Since then, states and lawmakers have been rallying to fight this rescission. As it turns out, members of both major political parties were sufficiently angry with Sessions over this decision. In Vermont, state lawmakers took almost immediate direct action. Last week, the Green Mountain State’s Senate passed a bill to legalize recreational cannabis. Timing aside, this social and political maneuver was particularly gutsy because it required each member of the legislation to take a definitive stance on the matter. Votes like this are public record, so the lawmakers involved were well aware of the political risks involved.
Another reason this vote was so risky is that the governor of Vermont, Phil Scott, vetoed a legalization bill this past May. He cited the need for more research and clearer wording on the bill as the reason behind his veto. He also made it known that he would be willing to revisit the matter.
And now he has the chance to do just that.
Final Hit: Governor of Vermont Expects To Sign Weed Legalization Bill By Monday
According to sources, the governor of Vermont expects to sign weed legalization bill by Monday. Or perhaps even before Monday. He has, reportedly, enlisted the help of a lawyer to go over the bill and make sure the language and specifications of the new potential law are of a high enough standard that he can sign it with a clear conscious. The specifications of the bill include maximum possession allowance of both flower and plants. If Governor Scott signs the bill into law, Vermont citizens will be permitted to possess up to one ounce of marijuana and six plants. Of those plants, two may be mature, and the grower may possess an additional four immature plants. No word yet on retailing recreational cannabis in the state of Vermont. But if the bill is signed, amendments regarding that are sure to come.
Another point to sweeten the pot? If the governor feels satisfied and signs, the new law will go into effect the first day of July. So, if all goes according to the state Senate’s plan, Vermont’s residents could have legal, recreational weed by summertime.
