Vermont legalized medical marijuana in 2004.  Now, some legislative committees are taking testimony on the controversial idea of legalizing recreational marijuana.  But there is considerable doubt whether the Legislature will actually approve a bill this session.

The issue has been on the agenda of several committees in Montpelier since the Legislature reconvened this month.
On Thursday, the Senate Judiciary Committee took testimony on regulating the personal possession and cultivation, and taxing commercial sales of recreational marijuana.  In the morning, the Senate Health and Welfare Committee studied the possible health effects of legalizing marijuana.

Earlier in the week the Senate Finance Committee reviewed banking and tax considerations. It also took testimony from Washington and Colorado experts to find out what those states have learned after legalizing recreational marijuana. Last week the House Ways and Means Committee assessed taxation and regulation.

Despite the flurry of activity reviewing the potential of legalized marijuana, it’s unclear whether legislators will actually craft a bill. [Read more at WAMC Northeast Public Radio]