Vermont moves closer to legalizing recreational cannabis

Only a few hours after Jeff Sessions has rescinded Obama's directives asking federal prosecutors to leave states that legalized cannabis alone, the Vermont House of Representatives voted 81-63 in favor of the bill H.511.

The text now heads to the Senate, which should quickly approve it, then to Governor Scott's desk for final approval.

«This is a progressive and thoughtful approach to cannabis legalization,» said Jill Krowinski, majority leader of the Vermont legislature, after the bill's vote Thursday night. «We are proud to be the first state in the country to pass cannabis legalization without the pressure of a public referendum.»

Unlike other U.S. states that have legalized cannabis, Vermont does so through legislation and not through citizen initiatives.

The bill is also unique: retail sales of cannabis will not be permitted. Vermonters will, however, be able to grow cannabis at home and possess up to 28g of cannabis on their person in public. Lesser gardeners will rely on the «generosity» of their neighbors, while out-of-staters, including tourists, will have no legal access to cannabis.

This particularity comes from a concession made to the Governor of the State who vetoed in 2017 to a bill designed to set up a legal system for the sale of cannabis.

The congressman representing Oregon, which legalized cannabis in 2015, Earl Blumenauer, however, lent his support to Vermont, scuffling in the process with its attorney general.

Congratulations to Vermont as it's poised to be the next state to legalize marijuana-a stunning rebuke of Jeff Sessions' efforts to continue the failed prohibition of marijuana.https://t.co/K9FQe6XrrM

- Earl Blumenauer (@repblumenauer) January 5, 2018

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