The Vermont Senate approved on Thursday a bill that would legalize recreational marijuana use in the state. The bill will be submitted to the House of Representatives for a decision. Should the House approve the bill, Vermont will become the first state to legalize marijuana through legislation.
Forbes reported the bill was passed by a vote of 17 to 12 in the Senate. The bill paves way for the creation of a taxed and regulated system of selling marijuana. Starting 2018, only state-licensed growers and merchants can cultivate the plant and operate businesses.
The state of Vermont will collect 25 percent excise tax from the marijuana industry. The revenues will provide additional support for drug treatment, prevention and enforcement of laws and regulations.
Under the bill, only adults aged 21 years or older will permitted to possess a maximum of one ounce of marijuana. Non-residents can purchase only a quarter of an ounce of weed.
Additionally, the bill does not allow the sale of marijuana edibles and home cultivation. The bill also designates a research committee that will study the advantages and disadvantages of these activities in the future.
According to Vox, although Vermont is not the first state to legalize pot-Colorado, Oregon, Washington and Alaska have gone ahead-other states approved legalization through a general election, unlike in Vermont where it was done by legislative initiative.
Once the House of Representatives for the legalization of recreational marijuana use, Democrat Governor Peter Shumlin will sign the bill to effectuate it. Shumlin is a known supporter of the bill.
"This bill will allow us to address those important issues by driving out illegal drug dealers, doing a better job than we currently do of keeping marijuana out of the hands of underage kids," Governor Shumlin said. "[The bill will help in] dealing with the drugged drivers who are already driving on our roads, addressing treatment, and educating Vermonters to the harmful effects of consuming marijuana, alcohol and cigarettes."
Reports, however, indicate that the bill would struggle in the House of Representatives where there is far lesser support for marijuana legalization.
The House's Judiciary Committee will review the bill on the second week of March, as noted by High Times. A full House vote on the bill will commence by the end of month.
A recent poll conducted by the Vermont Public Radio showed that 55 percent of residents support marijuana legalization.
