Vermont Committee Unanimously Approves Bill To Legalize MJ Sales

While Vermont legalized low-level cannabis possession and home cultivation through the legislature in 2018, the current policy does not provide for retail sales. That would change under the proposal approved in a vote of 11-0 by the House Committee on Government Operations.

Next steps for the legislation include consideration by the Ways & Means Committee, which has scheduled a hearing for Tuesday.

Michele Childs, a House legislative counsel, told Marijuana Moment in an email that the panel will have a “discussion of taxes and fees.” If approved there, the bill is then expected to be taken up by the Appropriations Committee before heading to the House floor.
The Senate already approved a version of the legislation last year.

“Today’s unanimous committee vote reflects the growing consensus in support of S. 54,” Matt Simon, New England political director of the Marijuana Policy Project, told Marijuana Moment. “Vermonters are more than ready to see the advent of regulated cannabis sales in their state, and this is an encouraging sign that Vermont’s elected officials are ready to move forward on the issue.”