The Vermont Senate voted to approve legislation Wednesday that would legalize the possession and cultivation of a limited amount of recreational marijuana, once signed by Governor Phil Scott.
A significant moment for the Green Mountain State as well as American history, Vermont has become the first state to legalize marijuana through the state’s legislative process.
Passed with a simple voice vote, the “Yea” vote won. Once H.511 is signed by Gov. Scott, Vermont’s residents will be allowed to possess up to 1 ounce of recreational marijuana and will be permitted to cultivate up to six marijuana plants. Sanctioned to smoke, carry, or grow under the new legislation, residents will find the commercial cultivation or distribution of marijuana will remain a crime in the state.
Soon to Be Legal in Vermont after July 1:
- Less than 1 ounce of marijuana
- Two mature marijuana plants
- Four immature cannabis starters
- Renters will be required to obtain a landlord’s written consent
A rather timely defiance of AG Sessions and his voiding of an Obama-era pot policy that protected legal states, their stakeholders and consumers – not all Vermonters were pleased with the outcome.
In an attempt to mount a last-minute effort to postpone the vote, Vermont’s law enforcement came out in collective force. Attempting to halt this legislation first, “the Vermont Police Association, the Vermont Association of Chiefs of Police and the Vermont Sheriffs’ Association” lobbied the state’s elected officials to postpone the vote, according to the VTDigger.
Fun fact: When state’s seek legalization through the legislative process it provides certain safeguards from federal intervention when commercial cultivation and sales are prohibited.
credit:marijuana.com
