Scott indicated previously that he’d sign, but this was the first time the governor said so publicly since the Vermont Senate passed the legislation on Wednesday.
“We’ll take a look at it to make sure it’s technically correct, and then I’ll sign the bill,” Scott said during an unrelated Statehouse press conference about the first report of the governor’s Opioid Coordination Council.
Scott did not commit to a public signing. “There’s a lot of diverse opinions on this,” he said. “I have my opinion. We’ll see.”
Earlier this week, leaders of the law enforcement community asked the Senate to delay its vote until the governor’s Marijuana Advisory Commission issues a report due January 15. Scott said he wouldn’t necessarily wait for that.
“I’ve been briefed on the report,” he said. “I don’t think there’s going to be anything coming out of the commission report that will surprise anyone.”
The commission was tasked with designing a system for full legalization with a tax-and-regulate structure, so its report is not directly germane to this bill.
Scott’s signature is not merely a bowing to the political winds. He indicated support for the current bill, at least in concept.
“This is a libertarian approach,” he explained. “I’ve said I’m not philosophically opposed to it. I know there are diverse opinions … as to whether we should move forward, but I still firmly believe that what you do in your own home should be your business, as long as it doesn’t affect someone else.”
As for full legalization, Scott remains a skeptic. “The tax-and-regulate, so-called Tobacco 2.0, is concerning to me,” he said. “We have to make sure that we can determine a level of prevention on our highways, make sure there’s prevention in our schools and deal with edibles, as well as the taxing and regulatory process. It’s a big step from here.”
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Thank you Governor Scott.
You are making history by signing H.511. The passing into law of this legislation is a big step in the right direction towards restoring civil rights, and ending a prohibition based on lies told in the 1930’s.
Let us now set up a fair and inclusive tax and regulate system. We must give Vermont’s craft cannabis growers a legal way to work . Vermont’s cannabis should live up to it’s reputation of being, “High Mountain Green”!
Thank you Governor Scott,
Vermont is starting to come into the 21st century at last.
Thank you governor, now the state is finally coming into the 21st century!
Governor Scott is sending Vermont back into the dark ages is more like it. I never met a soul who benefitted from smoking weed; except perhaps for an occasional medical need. Cloudy headed, spaced out people to a person in my experience..
The use of weed strikes me as an adolescent infatuation which should years ago have dropped out of the life of any mature person.
The idea that this represents an introduction of the state into the 21st century shows you the consciousness level of the pothead population in Vermont.
I actually thought Governor Scott was a strong, level headed man; apparently not, as he had the chance to lead the state to a healthier future and he punted away his opportunity under pressure from an ill- informed demographic in the state.
The only viable businesses in the state will be breweries and pot shops. What a legacy for the next generations to come.
Hey Peter, this is the 21st century. Society has moved beyond crotchety old men telling everyone what to do. You should also know that trying to exercise control over others, for which you have no right, is “an adolescent infatuation” and that trusting people to act as responsible adults is the purview of “mature adults.”
I hope Gov. Scott signs this in public, because it is historic. You can carry a gun pretty much anywhere you want in Vermont, its about time that people are allowed to grow a plant.
Thank you so much Governor Scott, I live in Tennessee, but i’ve done countless hours of research on marijuana, and as long as you aren’t irresponsible or stupid like a certain, Peter Rousseau, then you should have a more healthy and even more happy life. 🙂
I am disgusted that someone who has never tried pot is now making this choice. I have personally witnessed enough psychosis caused by not only pot, but also alcohol to wonder why even recreational use is considered a good thing? Gets votes, I suppose..and keeps pot heads out of your face..and we live in a free will Universe… not enough consideration to what is not known about what actually helps or hinders our spiritual development. Pot pokes holes in a person’s aura and other.. not always desired influences come in and young people or emotionally vulnerable persons can lose…. Legal or not is not even the main issue…