Vermont Senate Judiciary Committee Votes to Decriminalize Marijuana
This week Vermont’s Senate Judiciary Committee voted 4-1 in favor of decriminalizing the possessing of up to an ounce of marijuana for those 21 and older, making it a civil infraction – like a traffic ticket – rather than
an arrestable misdemeanor that carries with it the possibility of jail time. The measure now heads to the full Senate.
For those under 21, penalties for marijuana possession would be made analogous to penalties for a minor in possession of alcohol. The proposal, House Bill 200, has obtained a coalition of 38 cosponsors. The full House voted earlier this month, 98-44, to approve the measure. If it passes the Senate, it will head to the governor for final approval.
Recent polling shows that 61% of Vermont residents support decriminalizing marijuana. The state’s attorney general is also in full support, and has lobbied for its passage.
– TheJointBlog