Legalization In The Northeast: Vermont, Massachusetts

[Robert Celt]

Cannabis legalization is progressing on both coasts this month, with California, Nevada, and Arizona's initiative efforts gaining steam, just as Vermont and Massachusetts statehouses make waves.

In Vermont this morning, former Vermont Attorney General Kimberly Cheney – a Republican – began appearing in political ads supporting regulating marijuana.

The Vermont Coalition to Regulate Marijuana held a news conference with Cheney at the statehouse to support Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin, who last week called for "thoughtfully and carefully eliminat[ing] the era of prohibition that is currently failing us so miserably."

Cheney was attorney general in the Seventies and is now a member of Law Enforcement Against Prohibition.

"I am committed to bringing awareness to the failures of marijuana prohibition and working toward a safer Vermont," Cheney said. "We can't expect a different result by doing the same failed action over again. The only hope lies in a fundamentally different approach; without further delay, the Vermont Legislature should move forward with plans to regulate marijuana in 2016."
Last week, Shumlin said Vermont "[has] the capacity to take this next step and get marijuana legalization done right" in 2016.

Over in Massachusetts this week:

The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol Chairperson Dick Evans will join state Representative David Rogers on Wednesday to testify in support of Rogers' new bill to end prohibition in Massachusetts.

Rogers and Evans held a press conference just prior to the Massachusetts Joint Committee on the Judiciary's hearing on H.1561. Activists are working on both an initiative and a bill in 2016.

"Whether it happens in the legislature or at the ballot box, the result will be the same. Our communities will be safer because marijuana will be produced and sold by licensed businesses instead of criminals in the underground market. Our citizens will be safer because law enforcement will be able to spend more time addressing serious crimes instead of enforcing failed prohibition laws. And adults will no longer be punished simply for using a substance that is significantly less harmful than alcohol," Evans stated.

News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Legalization In The Northeast: Vermont, Massachusetts
Author: David Downs
Contact: East Bay Express
Photo Credit: Chris Hondros
Website: East Bay Express

 

[Radogast]

I like this part of Massachussetts H1561 : so far, no limit on number of plants grown for personal use.

Section 10. Personal use. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, the following acts, by persons 21 years of age or older, are lawful and shall not be a criminal or civil offense under Massachusetts law or the law of any political subdivision of Massachusetts: (a) Cultivating, processing, having or consuming marijuana or marijuana products for personal use by an individual, his friends and family, not with intent to sell, within or upon his place of residence, and delivering marijuana or marijuana products to an adult for no consideration or other gain, whether financial or otherwise; (b) Transporting not more than ten (10) ounces of marijuana or not more than ten (10) pounds of marijuana products.