Vermont Governor to Sign Marijuana Legalization Bill Into Law Monday
On Monday Vermont will become the 9th state to legalize marijuana, and the first to do so through state lawmakers (all other states with legal marijuana legalized through a citizen initiative).
Governor Phil Scott say he will sign H. 511 into law on Monday, legalizing marijuana for everyone 21 and older. The new law will allow for the possession of up to an ounce of marijuana, and the personal cultivation of up to two mature (or four immature) cannabis plants.
Although eight other states have legalized marijuana (Washington, Colorado, Alaska, Oregon, Nevada, Maine, Massachusetts and California), Vermont on Monday will become the first in U.S. history to do so through the legislative process, and not through an initiative approved by voters. Approval of the law comes just days after Attorney General Jeff Sessions rescinded an Obama-era memo that provided protections to state-legal marijuana businesses.
According to recent polling conducted by Public Policy Polling, 57% of Vermont voters support the move to legalize marijuana for adults.