United States: Vermont becomes the first state to legalize cannabis without a citizen's movement

The Vermont State Legislature has become the first assembly in the country to vote for the legalization of recreational cannabis through a legislative process, not via citizen initiatives like previous states.

The bill was approved on Wednesday May 10 by a vote of 79 to 66.

The bill must now be submitted to the office of Vermont Governor Phil Scott. Should the Republican governor officially sign the bill, Vermont would become the ninth U.S. state to legalize cannabis for recreational use, and the first without a citizen process. The bill would allow adults 21 and older to possess and consume small amounts of cannabis (28 grams), starting next year. Possession of larger quantities of cannabis will remain illegal.

The Republican governor said he wasn't totally opposed to the use of recreational cannabis, but that before signing the bill, he wanted to make sure the product met public health and safety concerns.

A lawyer, Paul Giuliani, from the state capital Montpelier, declared that «legalization is a terrible idea. Alcohol laws have failed to prevent underage drivers from getting behind the wheel drunk, it won't work with cannabis users.» Prior to the vote, some legislators also feared the risk of an increase in drug addiction and car accidents.

Supporters of cannabis legalization have countered the arguments of the state's opponents by asserting that cannabis consumption is already widespread in Vermont and that its legalization will bring only good things, such as putting an end to the black market and increasing state revenues.

Mehdi Bautier