Ron Strider
Well-Known Member
The legislation approved by the lawmakers this past week puts Vermont on the right path toward legalizing the recreational use of marijuana. Gov. Phil Scott should sign the bill and become an active partner in creating an approach that, as the bill states, "increases public safety and reduces harm to public health."
The emphasis is in the right place. Marijuana use has become mainstream, and a majority of Vermonters poll back legalization. That means the focus must remain on how best to bring about legalization in an safe and orderly manner, rather than on increased tax revenues or business opportunities.
Marijuana, like alcohol, has negative impacts, one of the most frequently cited being the weed's link to crime and addiction. The question is, does illegal marijuana serve more as a gateway to harder drugs or as an easy entry into the world of illicit substances?
If anything legalization holds the possibility of reducing the stigma attached to the problems that come with abuse, creating a better atmosphere for our society to confront these problems.
The Legislature must be ready to deal with the consequences of legalization, including impact on workplaces, driving under the influence and the prospect of illegal marijuana dealers who may switch to harder illicit substances to make up for lost business.
The House on Wednesday voted 79-66 to approve a Senate amendment that legalizes the possession of up to 1 ounce of marijuana, and up to two mature cannabis plants for those 21 or older starting in July 2018.
The amendment, attached to S.22, a largely unrelated bill about combating the growing abuse of the synthetic opiate fentanyl, follows the move by Vermont in 2013 to reduce the possession of up to 1 ounce of marijuana to a civil infraction.
While a similar Senate bill -- minus the home-grown provision -- failed in 2016, the measure passed this year benefits from an additional year of debate.
The latest legislation calls on the Legislature to create the Marijuana Regulatory Commission to draft a bill by Nov. 1 that "establishes a comprehensive regulatory and revenue system for an adult-use marijuana market that, when compared to the current illegal marijuana market, increases public safety and reduces harm to public health."
The bill that would create the retail market is to be presented to the Legislature for a vote in January.
Those provisions in this year's bill address some of the major shortcomings of last year's attempt at legalization. Lawmakers The deadlines set in the legislation prevents lawmakers from putting off facing the issues surrounding commercial sales and increased availability of marijuana.
Legalization is the logical, inevitable and proper course for the state that will allow for a more rational approach to regulating marijuana use and sales in the interest of Vermonters.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Editorial: Vt. on right path to marijuana legalization
Contact: Contact us | Burlington Free Press
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Burlington Free Press
The emphasis is in the right place. Marijuana use has become mainstream, and a majority of Vermonters poll back legalization. That means the focus must remain on how best to bring about legalization in an safe and orderly manner, rather than on increased tax revenues or business opportunities.
Marijuana, like alcohol, has negative impacts, one of the most frequently cited being the weed's link to crime and addiction. The question is, does illegal marijuana serve more as a gateway to harder drugs or as an easy entry into the world of illicit substances?
If anything legalization holds the possibility of reducing the stigma attached to the problems that come with abuse, creating a better atmosphere for our society to confront these problems.
The Legislature must be ready to deal with the consequences of legalization, including impact on workplaces, driving under the influence and the prospect of illegal marijuana dealers who may switch to harder illicit substances to make up for lost business.
The House on Wednesday voted 79-66 to approve a Senate amendment that legalizes the possession of up to 1 ounce of marijuana, and up to two mature cannabis plants for those 21 or older starting in July 2018.
The amendment, attached to S.22, a largely unrelated bill about combating the growing abuse of the synthetic opiate fentanyl, follows the move by Vermont in 2013 to reduce the possession of up to 1 ounce of marijuana to a civil infraction.
While a similar Senate bill -- minus the home-grown provision -- failed in 2016, the measure passed this year benefits from an additional year of debate.
The latest legislation calls on the Legislature to create the Marijuana Regulatory Commission to draft a bill by Nov. 1 that "establishes a comprehensive regulatory and revenue system for an adult-use marijuana market that, when compared to the current illegal marijuana market, increases public safety and reduces harm to public health."
The bill that would create the retail market is to be presented to the Legislature for a vote in January.
Those provisions in this year's bill address some of the major shortcomings of last year's attempt at legalization. Lawmakers The deadlines set in the legislation prevents lawmakers from putting off facing the issues surrounding commercial sales and increased availability of marijuana.
Legalization is the logical, inevitable and proper course for the state that will allow for a more rational approach to regulating marijuana use and sales in the interest of Vermonters.
News Moderator: Ron Strider 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Editorial: Vt. on right path to marijuana legalization
Contact: Contact us | Burlington Free Press
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Burlington Free Press
