Lawmakers supported the legislation by a 74-68 tally in a vote taken around 11:30 p.m. — some four hours after the issue was first presented on the floor.
“All this leads to savings in our corrections and judicial systems,” said Rep. Tom Burditt (R-West Rutland). “Let’s end prohibition.”
The action comes after months of delays that make it likely too late to pass in the full legislature this year, as lawmakers are expected to adjourn for the session later this week. But supporters see any action as progress toward their goal.
The bill, H.170, would allow adults to possess up to an ounce of pot. It would also allow for adults to grow two mature marijuana plants and four seedlings per household. The legislation would not allow for marijuana sales or commercial growing, a key difference between bills presented in the two Statehouse chambers.
The Senate earlier this year voted for a legalization measure that would tax and regulate the drug by allowing for retail marijuana shops and commercial cultivation. But House members refused Tuesday to go along with an amendment from Rep. Jean O’Sullivan (D-Burlington) that mirrored the Senate bill.
“I think this is a very thoughtful approach,” O’Sullivan said. “We have to do something. We are surrounded by an entire country that wants to legalize and two states that have.”
O’Sullivan’s amendment failed by a 99-42 vote.
Some lawmakers argued that the bill needed to include more precautions, including greater assurance that drugged drivers could be detected.
“We bear some measure of responsibility for whether we are protecting Vermonters as they use the highway,” said Rep. Cynthia Browning (D-Arlington). “Before we let legalization go into effect, please require that we have these protections.”
“The problems we have with impaired driving and marijuana use exist now and that doesn’t seem likely to change a whole lot,” countered Rep. Chip Conquest (D-Newbury).
Rep. Paul Poirier (I-Barre) said he changed his mind about supporting the House bill after hearing this week from constituents angry about the deaths of three people reportedly killed this year in drug-related car crashes.
Rep. Peter Fagan (R-Rutland) unsuccessfully tried to delay the bill by contending it was too permissive.
“Just how much marijuana can one household grow in one year?” he asked. “There is nothing small about the amount we are talking about here.”
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@ things I don’t understand here. 1 Why do our representatives assume that legalization is going to cause a lot more people to go out and drive around stoned? Are they going to? 2 why does anyone think that prohibition works? I thought the failure of the 18th amendment proved that it didn’t. Maybe we need a more effective legislature.
Thankfully, it’s about time marijuana was legalized in Vermont – and this bill isn’t going to hurt small-time drug dealer economy.
Voters need to remember this and VOTE in every election. Vermont taxpayers needlessly lose revenue and our proud state of Vermont is losing our progressive reputation to a campaign of disinformation and special interests who are invested in continuing a wasteful, expensive, and ineffective war on drugs.
Arlington rep Cynthia Browning and uninformed legislators need to be voted out. Legalizing marijuana will not create a bloodbath on the highways of Vermont. To the contrary, legalizing will provide more safety measures than currently exist. News Flash to Ms. Browning and her brethren: All the Vermonters who want it are using weed today. We would like the state to enjoy tax revenues that are now going to the black market. I’m embarrassed by this current Vermont legislature. Legalizing alcohol, opiates, assault rifles, leaded gas, and tobacco…truly deadly items…didn’t destroy the country. Legalizing marijuana, a healthier and much less harmful alternative, won’t destroy Vermont.