As public opinion increasingly favors the legalization of recreational marijuana, a growing number of states must determine how to tax legal sales of cannabis. To date, nine states (Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington) and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational marijuana, but only eight of these jurisdictions have legal markets. […]
Vermont
More Legislative Activity for Legalization Puts Prohibition Enforcement in Doubt
With California set to completely rock the industry with recreational legalization beginning in January, that state and others are beginning to up the anty when it comes to testing the waters of full and complete legalization. The California state legislative body recently created a joint resolution calling for Congress to reschedule cannabis, which would basically […]
New England Update: Recreational Stalls, Complications in Medical Persist
Two lawyers from the regulated substance practice group of New England law firm Drummond Woodsum, Hannah King and Edward “Ted” Kelleher, presented their findings in an informative session “Where legalization stands in New England” at the CBEConnections industry conference held at the Revere Hotel in Boston on September 12. In their presentation, they addressed general […]
Vermont’s 3rd Hemp-Growing Season Means More Acreage and New Products
Farmers have started planting Vermont’s third hemp crop. Though their numbers are few, the acreage devoted to hemp has significantly increased this year, as has the direction of the state’s fledgling hemp industry. A survey conducted by this reporter of hemp growers registered with the Agency of Agriculture indicates that around 60 acres of industrial […]
Legislative Support For Legalization in Vermont Seems to be Fading
Key legislative leaders said Monday they doubted they could muster support in the House for a Senate-passed bill legalizing marijuana in Vermont, and delayed until Tuesday a vote on compromise legislation calling for expanded decriminalization. But prospects even for that measure — replacing criminal penalties with fines akin to a traffic ticket for possession of […]
Vermont Senate Approves Marijuana Legalization, Keeps Bill Moving Ahead
On Wednesday afternoon, the Vermont Senate became only the second legislative body in the nation to approve a bill that would legalize the sale and possession of marijuana. But the narrow vote spotlights the controversial nature of the legislation. And proposal still faces staunch opposition in the House. It wasn’t all that long ago that […]
Vermont Governor Pushes Bill to Fully Legalize Recreational Marijuana
Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin and the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee have announced legislation “to cautiously and deliberately” legalize recreational marijuana in Vermont. Sen. Richard Sears, a Democrat, said Tuesday that the bill would remove the civil penalties for possession of an ounce or less of marijuana for those over 21 but also provide […]
Vermont Legislators Considering Legalizing Recreational Marijuana
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 […]
Vermont Governor Says He Wants to Legalize Marijuana
Legal marijuana is coming to Vermont this year — at least, if Gov. Peter Shumlin has anything to say about it. Shumlin (D) offered the broad outlines of a legalization plan Thursday duringhis annual State of the State address. “The outdated War on Drugs has also failed,” he said, “and there is no greater example than our nation’s marijuana laws.” Shumlin […]
Business Groups Oppose Marijuana Legalization in Vermont
Backers of the push to legalize marijuana say the commercial cannabis market will be a boon for the Vermont economy. But some major employers are challenging that argument, and at least two industry trade associations say legal weed will undermine the quality of the state workforce. Proponents of legal cannabis say it isn’t about the […]
Marijuana Legalization Bill Starting to Take Shape in Vermont
MONTPELIER, Vt. —The Senate Government Operations Committee agreed to a general framework for legalizing marijuana Thursday, though many details have yet to be worked out. The panel is taking the lead on the proposal to end prohibition of recreational marijuana — Vermont has allowed medicinal pot for years — and create a new regulatory structure […]
Vermont’s Medical Marijuana Industry is Growing and on the Rise
When medical marijuana dispensaries opened in Burlington and Brattleboro one and two years ago, respectively, the starting clientele was only 25 people. Today, said operator Shayne Lynn, they help a total of 1,000 people to ease their pain. “Each week we get new patients on the registry,” said Lynn, executive director for Champlain Valley Dispensary […]
Vermont Legislature Pushing Ahead With New Medical Marijuana Rules
Delivery of medical marijuana and hemp grown by dispensaries were among the rules approved Thursday by the Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules. Approval of the rules come close to a pressing deadline. The committee’s 45-day review period ends this coming Monday. New this year are regulations that allow for the state’s four dispensaries to grow hemp plants to […]
Vermont Hemp Farmers Upset With Proposed Marijuana Rule Changes
MONTPELIER – An official from the Vermont Department of Public Safety on Wednesday defended proposed new rules on medical marijuana and said fears that they will hurt hemp farmers are unfounded. Lindsay Wells, the department’s director of a program that allows some sick people to use marijuana for symptom relief, said the rules would affect […]
Demand For Medical Marijuana Exploding in Vermont
Since Shayne Lynn opened his first medical marijuana dispensary in June 2013, demand for products has eclipsed his five-year business plan. The executive director of Champlain Valley Dispensary and Southern Vermont Wellness is opening a 28,000-square-foot cultivation and research center in Milton that will double capacity for the number of patients the two dispensaries can […]
Vermont Lawmakers Say – Make Cannabis Legal or We’ll Ban Booze
Two Vermont lawmakers fed up with delays to legalize marijuana in the state introduced a headline-grabbing measure this week designed to move things along: one that would outlaw alcohol. Legislators Chris Pearson and Jean O’Sullivan admit they have no interest in reinstating Prohibition, but they want to make a larger point, reports Vermont Public Radio. […]
Will Vermont’s Legislature Make It the Next State To Legalize Recreational Marijuana?
Vermont could become the first state in history to legalize recreational marijuana via state legislature with a new bill submitted Tuesday that aims to end prohibition of the plant. Senate Bill 95 would legalize the possession, use and sale of recreational marijuana in the state for those 21 and older. Adult residents could possess up […]
Vermont Law
Vermont Medical Marijuana July 1, 2004 SUMMARY: Senate Bill 76 became law without Gov. James Douglas’ signature on May 26, 2004. The law takes effect on July 1, 2004. The law removes state-level criminal penalties on the use, possession and cultivation of marijuana by patients diagnosed with a “debilitating medical condition.” Patients diagnosed with the […]
