A History of Vermont Marijuana Leglislation

Details: Created on Monday, 28 March 2016 18:37; Written by Morgan Vaudrien

VERMONT- Over the past decade, marijuana legislation has occupied an interesting place in Vermont politics.

The most recent bill towards legalizing the substance is going to the Vermont House of Representatives for vote, but the state has a history of discussion around its use.

Beginning in 2004, legislators in Vermont began to take the first steps towards marijuana legalization. In 2004, the state of Vermont -- along with half of the country -- legalized medical marijuana.

Further measures followed as lawmakers in other states began to change their states' legislation surrounding marijuana use -- whether it be decriminalization, or recreational legalization in such states as Alaska, Colorado, Washington and Oregon. And after years of debating the issue, lawmakers in Vermont may be following suit.

As of right now, marijuana is decriminalized in Vermont. In other words, people with small amounts of marijuana (less than an ounce) will not be arrested, instead they can receive fines (no more than $200 for first time offenders, $300 for a second offense, and $500 for every offense after)-- but it will no longer appear on a person's criminal record. Governor Peter Shumlin signed the legislation for this during the summer of 2013, and it was enacted in early July of that year.

Currently, some Vermont lawmakers are looking to further open up the barriers and utilize the benefits of recreational marijuana while closely monitoring its use. Officials also say they hope to create revenue in the way that some states, such as Colorado, have since those states legalized recreational use and made marijuana a part of their economy. In 2014, a RAND Corporation study that showed the state could generate between $20 million to $75 million from the regulation and taxation of marijuana.

Peter Shumlin announced the first step for this process at the beginning of this year, creating a bill for the legalization of recreational marijuana in Vermont.

The bill would allow for adults 21 and older to possess up to an ounce of marijuana with no penalty. The bill also includes plans for strengthening penalties for adults who provide marijuana, as well as alcohol, to minors.

The vote for this piece of legislation was held at the end of January this year, which passed, and Governor Shumlin began to announce more details of the bill for when it comes into play.

He has said that in addition to the twenty-five State Troopers to be added over the next three years, ten additional law enforcement officers will be trained as drug recognition experts. Driving under the influence and illegal trafficking will still be prevalent issues, Shumlin says.