Legalize and Commercialize Marijuana ending the last vestiges of prohibition,
removing the profits from the criminal marketplace, while assuring that products allowed create no heightened danger to our citizens and allowing Law Enforcement to concentrating on eliminating "hard drugs" and their criminal purveyors.
Source: 2018 Vermont Senate campaign website BrookePaige.us
Aug 14, 2018
Bruce Lisman:
Decriminalization, but not legalization, of recreational pot
I am against the legalization and commercialization of recreational marijuana.
There is an important distinction between decriminalization, which I support, and legalization.
Source: 2016 gubernatorial campaign website, LismanForVermont.com
Mar 6, 2016
Bruce Lisman:
No legalization now; let's see what happens in other states
Q: Would you eliminate penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana by adults? Will you support creating a reasonable system for regulating and taxing marijuana production and sales in Vermont?Bruce Lisman did not respond to MPP's survey
asking about marijuana legalization. "I say, 'No, not now,' Lisman said on VT Public Radio. "It's not clear to me that we understand well enough what's happening in the other states that have legalized it or the process by which they've gone through."
Source: MPP.org Voter Guide on 2016 Vermont Governor primary race
Sep 9, 2016
Christine Hallquist:
Tax retail marijuana for clean water and public education
On marijuana sales: Hallquist supports a taxed and regulated retail marijuana market, often framing her support in terms of protecting Vermonters from untrustworthy sources of marijuana.
Hallquist has talked about using marijuana revenue to fund clean-water initiatives and address opiate addiction. She told the cannabis website Heady Vermont that some of the money could also be used for public education.
Source: Burlington Free Press on 2018 Vermont gubernatorial race
Aug 29, 2018
Christine Hallquist:
Treat opiate crisis as a public health issue
Work with local community health organizations, the Attorney General and State's Attorney's offices, local law enforcement, and ensure that opiate crisis is always treated as a public health issue. Recognize that prevention
and proactive treatment is not only fiscally responsible, but the moral imperative. Put existing research into action and investigate whether safe-injection sites could be made available in Vermont. Focus on social justice and harm reduction.
Source: 2018 VT governor Campaign website ChristineForVermont.com
Sep 1, 2018
David Zuckerman:
Legalize marijuana, starting with two ounces at a time
In January 2014, Zuckerman introduced legislation to legalize up to 2 ounces of marijuana at any one time, including a $50-per-ounce tax in order to cover the costs of regulation.
As of July 2013, Vermont law allows possession of one ounce of marijuana, and the state does not collect taxes on it.
Zuckerman supported more revenue in order to deal with treatment and recovery for addicts in the state. "And like I said, if there's more revenue that we could then put toward treatment for
those who are addicted to serious drugs then that would be a benefit," Zuckerman said in an interview.
Source: Ballotpedia.org on Vermont legislation voting record
Feb 29, 2020
David Zuckerman:
Legalize marijuana
Mirroring Bernie Sanders, Zuckerman has championed a $15 minimum wage, instituting a wealth tax on Vermont's richest residents, legalizing marijuana, and taking strong action on climate change.
While in the Legislature, he spearheaded legislation that made Vermont the first state in the nation to require food manufacturers to label products containing genetically modified ingredients.
Source: Vermont Digger on 2020 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Jan 13, 2020
David Zuckerman:
Provide needle exchanges, overdose prevention medication
The opioid epidemic in Vermont is harming our communities and our economy. We must treat all Vermonters with the dignity and respect they deserve. Harm-reduction services, from needle exchanges to access to overdose prevention medication, are crucial.
We must make life-saving medication-assisted treatments such as methadone and buprenorphine free to any Vermonter who needs them. Medication-assisted treatment should not be criminalized.
Source: 2020 Vermont governor campaign website ZuckermanForVT.com
Apr 3, 2020
Keith Stern:
Send drug addicts to treatment & dealers to boot camp
Stern said he would handle the opioid crisis by cracking down on offenders and expanding treatment. "We have to spend more money on treatment centers," he said. "My plan is for drug dealers to go to prison boot camp.
These people don't have respect for others. They don't have discipline, no sense of responsibility. People need to learn that to become useful citizens."
Source: Mountain Times on 2018 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Aug 31, 2017
Matt Dunne:
Create a trusted Vermont brand of legalized marijuana
We need to craft our own policies before other surrounding states legalize marijuana so we can do it the Vermont way. To keep Vermonters safe, we must insist on clear, stringent labeling of marijuana products and organic/GMO certification.
And if we do this right and act quickly, we have the opportunity to set the standard for legalization across the country and allow Vermont farmers and entrepreneurs to benefit from establishing a trusted Vermont brand.
A strong Marijuana policy will achieve the following:- Undercut the criminal market.
- Better control youth access.
- Create a system of tested and labeled products.
- Generate revenue that can be used for prevention, treatment and education.
-
Reduce an adversarial relationship between law enforcement and marijuana users.
- Better to put a controlled system in place now than have to respond after voter referenda result in reform in other states like Maine and Massachusetts.
Source: 2016 Vermont gubernatorial campaign website MattDunne.com
Mar 3, 2016
Matt Dunne:
Legalize marijuana quickly; prohibition hasn't worked
Q: Would you eliminate penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana by adults? Will you support creating a reasonable system for regulating and taxing marijuana production and sales in Vermont?
Will you support allowing adults to grow a limited amount of marijuana for their own personal use?Former State Sen. Matt Dunne (D-Hartland) responded yes to all three MPP survey questions. "I actually believe that we need to move forward with the
legalization of marijuana, because I don't know anyone who thinks that prohibition has actually worked," Dunne said on Vermont Public Radio in June. "In fact,
I think we need to move relatively quickly, so that we're not having to react to other states that, as I understand it, are planning on putting this issue on a referendum."
Source: MPP.org Voter Guide on 2016 Vermont Governor primary race
Sep 9, 2016
Patrick Leahy:
Let legal cannabis businesses use banking system
Businesses operating legally in #VT should be able to use the banking system. I'm proud to again cosponsor the
SAFE Banking Act to give businesses access to the financial services they need in the dozens of states that have legalized cannabis businesses, including Vermont.
Source: Twitter posting on 2022 Vermont Senate race
Mar 23, 2021
Peter Shumlin:
War on recidivism: $300,000 for methadone treatment
Many non-violent offenders have drug & alcohol related addictions. When their time is up, lack of adequate housing, adult basic education, drug & alcohol counseling, mental health services & job options leave them with the same lack of skills & substance
abuse challenges that led them into prison in the first place.My Administration will re-allocate an additional $300,000 to unlock the waiting lists for methadone treatment. This represents the first steps in my administration's war on recidivism.
Source: 2011 Vermont State of the State Address
Jan 25, 2011
Peter Shumlin:
Address drug addiction as a public health crisis
Vermont is confronted by a crisis of the rising tide of drug addiction and drug-related crime. In every corner of our state, heroin and opiate drug addiction threatens us.We often hear in the news about the criminal side of drug addiction, about the
robberies or the busts in our communities. Our police, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and judges do an extraordinary job under tough circumstances. But as those who are in the thick of this struggle have concluded, we must bolster our current approach
to addiction with more common sense. We must address it as a public health crisis, providing treatment and support, rather than simply doling out punishment, claiming victory, and moving onto our next conviction.
Addiction is, at its core, a
chronic disease. We must do for this disease what we do for cancer, diabetes, heart, and other chronic illness: first, aim for prevention, and then eradicate any disease that develops with aggressive treatment.
Source: 2014 Vermont State of the State speech
Jan 8, 2014
Peter Shumlin:
Time to make marijuana well-regulated legal substance
The War on Drugs has failed, and there is no greater example than our nation's marijuana laws. Vermont took steps to institute a well-regulated medical marijuana system that now serves 2,400 Vermonters. But the black market of drug dealers selling
marijuana for recreational use is alive and well, that's why I will work with you to craft the right bill that eliminates the era of prohibition that is currently failing us. I will insist on 5 things before I'll sign a bill:- A legal market must
keep marijuana and other drugs out of the hands of underage kids.
- The tax imposed must be low enough to wipe out the black market and get rid of the illegal drug dealers.
- Revenue from legalization must be used to expand addiction prevention
programs.
- We must strengthen law enforcement's capacity to respond to impaired drivers under the influence of Marijuana
- Take a hard lesson learned from other states and ban the sale of edibles until other states figure out how to do it right.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Vermont legislature
Jan 7, 2016
Peter Shumlin:
Prioritize reducing opioid misuse
Let's put an end to the system where doctors, dentists, and health care providers send patients home with 80 or 90 Oxycontin pills in their pocket. I am proposing a new system, where a maximum of 10 pills will be the limit for minor procedures.
Second, we are partnering with pharmacies to expand drug take back programs. Third, we are partnering with neighboring states to upgrade the Prescription Monitoring System to prevent addicts from crossing state borders to go pill shopping.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Vermont legislature
Jan 7, 2016
Phil Scott:
Supports growing industrial hemp in Vermont
Over the previous three years [in the state legislature] I voted to support the sale of un-pasteurized milk and allow industrial hemp to be grown in Vermont. I voted to
find better ways to prepare students for careers in Agriculture, Forestry and Horticulture (AF&H) and determine how to better prepare the next generation of Vermonters to become involved in these sectors.
Source: NE Organic Farming Assoc. on 2016 Vermont gubernatorial race
Nov 1, 2012
Phil Scott:
No legalization at this time; but I'm not saying never
Q: Would you eliminate penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana? Will you support creating a reasonable system for regulating and taxing marijuana production and sales? Will you support allowing adults to grow a limited amount of marijuana
for personal use?Lieutenant Gov. Phil Scott (R-Berlin) did not respond to MPP's survey asking about marijuana legalization. "I'm not saying never," Scott said on Vermont Public Radio in June. "I'm saying it's the timing's not right. It's not now."
Source: MPP.org Voter Guide on 2016 Vermont Governor primary race
Sep 9, 2016
Phil Scott:
Address opiate addiction via prevention & enforcement
Q: What would you do to address the growing problem of substance abuse?Scott: I have a 10-point plan to address opiate addiction through prevention, treatment, and enforcement. We need to expand community commitment by replicating the success of
programs such as Rutland Project VISION. I'd establish a Director of Drug Abuse Prevention and an Opiate Coordination Council comprised of municipal, health and law enforcement officials to eliminate red tape and ensure integration of state government
opiate policies. I'd emphasize long-term treatment rather than short-term detox, invest in expanded treatment options and new licensed counselors. We can also give law enforcement more flexibility to refer people to treatment rather than prison.
I'd also require digital prescriptions in order to reduce prescription fraud. I'd fight to update federal drug disposal rules and expand Medication-Assisted Treatment programs so doctors can treat more addicts.
Source: LWV's Vote411.org on 2016 Vermont Gubernatorial Race
Sep 19, 2016
Phil Scott:
Make low-level marijuana possession legal for adults
Gov. Phil Scott officially signed a bill into law that makes marijuana legal for adults in Vermont. H. 511 eliminates Vermont's civil penalty for possessing one ounce or less of marijuana and removes penalties for possession of up to two mature
marijuana plants and up to four immature plants for people 21 and older."After more than 15 years of hard work by MPP and our allies in the state, adults in Vermont no longer need to fear being fined or criminalized for low-level marijuana possession
and cultivation," said the New England political director for the Marijuana Policy Project. Vermont is the ninth state to make marijuana legal for adults and the first to do so through its legislature. Eight other states have
enacted laws legalizing and regulating marijuana for adult use, all through ballot initiatives."
Legislative outcome: Passed House 81-63-5 on Jan. 4; signed by Governor on Jan. 22.
Source: MPP.org on Vermont legislative voting record H.511
Jan 22, 2018
Phil Scott:
Add regulated marijuana sales to legalized possession
Eleven states have legalized marijuana for adults 21 and over. The Marijuana Policy Project played a central role in the coalitions that passed initiatives to legalize and regulate marijuana in CO, AK, MA, ME, MI, and NV. Ten of those states--
AK, CA, CO, IL, ME, MA, MI, NV, OR & WA--have launched marijuana sales for adults. In the 11th state, Vermont, Gov. Phil Scott signed a bill into law yesterday to add regulated sales to an existing law that legalized personal possession and cultivation.
Source: MPP.org press release on 2022 Vermont gubernatorial race
Oct 8, 2020
Phil Scott:
4-legged stool: prevention, treatment, recovery, enforcement
Asked if Vermont should consider increasing sentences for those who import fentanyl into the state, and what else the state might do to reduce the drug's deadly impact, Scott suggested that the state may need to renew its attention on enforcement.
The state's opioid response requires the "four-legged stool" of prevention, treatment, recovery and enforcement, he said. "A lot of the gun violence we're seeing, especially in the
Burlington area, has been due to this drug activity, illicit drug activity, and so we need to pay attention," Scott said. "Again, we can't just focus in one area.
We need to focus on all the areas that make this work holistically.
Source: VT Digger on 2022 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Sep 16, 2022
Scott Milne:
Does not support the legalization of marijuana
Milne, who incidentally, does not support the legalization of marijuana, says his stance on some issues will put him at odds with national Republicans. He told students that he thinks
Congress should expand background checks for firearms, for example, and consider banning certain weapons. He also says he wants to improve upon the Affordable Care Act, not repeal it, as many Republicans have called for.
Source: Vermont Public Radio on 2016 Vermont Senate race
Sep 12, 2016
Scott Milne:
Pass tougher drug laws instead of decriminalizing
Q: Are you in favor of decriminalizing drug use?
Scott Milne: No, we should pass tougher drug laws
Source: iSideWith.com Voter Guide on 2016 Vermont Senate race
Sep 9, 2016
Sue Minter:
Addicts need treatment, not jail time
Vermont faces an opioid epidemic that is impacting our communities & our state's economic future. The rate of opioid-exposed infants has doubled since 2009. I will invest in programs to prevent & treat opioid addiction & improve drug & alcohol prevention
& rehabilitation. We must change prescribing habits, provide early intervention for families with high risk factors for substance abuse, and ensure that schools provide effective drug abuse prevention programs. Addicts need treatment, not jail time.
Source: 2016 Vermont gubernatorial campaign website SueMinter.com
May 25, 2016
Sue Minter:
Supports legalizing marijuana
Q: Would you eliminate penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana by adults? Will you support creating a reasonable system for regulating and taxing marijuana production and sales in Vermont? Will you support allowing adults to grow a
limited amount of marijuana for their own personal use?Former State Rep. Sue Minter did not respond to MPP's survey asking about marijuana legalization. "I do support the legalization of marijuana," Minter said on Vermont Public Radio in June.
Source: MPP.org Voter Guide on 2016 Vermont Governor primary race
Sep 9, 2016
Brenda Siegel:
Safe injection sites would save lives, like my brother's
Siegel cited the overdose deaths of her brother 20 years ago, and [three others] more recently--each among the more than 845 Vermonters she said had died of overdoses since Scott became governor. Siegel said each would have lived if there had been an
overdose prevention center available to them. "My question is: Were their lives worth saving?" she asked Scott.Scott first replied that he felt that question was unfair. But "we just don't have the resources" to put injection sites
in every city and town, "taking those resources away from the measures we know work."
Seigel replied, "I don't think it's an unfair question for all the people whose families who've lost people to ask you if their lives were worth saving because many
of their lives, if they were in overdose prevention centers, would have been saved. So I'm not asking if we should divert resources away because we need it all. But I'm asking if their lives were worth saving."
Source: Brattleboro Reformer on 2022 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Oct 18, 2022
Gerald Malloy:
No "safe injection sites"; maybe legal pot at VA hospitals
In the arena of drug policy, Malloy said he would "consider" legalizing marijuana for use in U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs facilities. Welch said he would legalize marijuana but would not support legalizing other drugs.
Malloy said he did not support safe injection sites; Welch said he would be "open" to them if they garnered support from the community.
Source: Valley News on 2022 Vermont Senate race
Sep 10, 2022
Peter Welch:
Legalize marijuana but not most other drugs
In the arena of drug policy, Malloy said he would "consider" legalizing marijuana for use in U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs facilities. Welch said he would legalize marijuana but would not support legalizing other drugs.
Malloy said he did not support safe injection sites; Welch said he would be "open" to them if they garnered support from the community.
Source: Valley News on 2022 Vermont Senate race
Sep 10, 2022
Phil Scott:
No resources for injection sites; no recreational pot
Siegel cited the overdose deaths of her brother 20 years ago, and [three others] more recently--each among the more than 845 Vermonters she said had died of overdoses since Scott became governor. Siegel said each would have lived if there had been an
overdose prevention center available to them.Scott replied, "We have done a lot of work together over the last six years" on saving lives, Scott said, but as a rural state, "we just don't have the resources" to put injection sites in every city and
town. Scott also said he could not support the injection sites, which he called an experiment, "taking those resources away from the measures we know work. And I don't believe we should be legalizing small amounts of recreational drugs either.
And I don't think we should be erasing the records of drug traffickers as well. I don't believe your strategy will save every single life."
Seigel replied, "If they were in overdose prevention centers, would have been saved."
Source: Brattleboro Reformer on 2022 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Oct 18, 2022
Phil Scott:
Vetoed feasibility study on overdose prevention site
Siegel said [on drug policy] that Vermont should emphasize "harm reduction first." referring to policies focused on mitigating the most severe outcomes of substance use. And she said the state should ensure treatment and recovery on demand,
including medically assisted treatment, and better fund mental health services.Scott shot back that "harm reduction is a big part of our strategy. It is something that we need to pay attention to, but it isn't
about the so-called safe injection sites," he said.
Indeed, Siegel immediately brought up Scott's veto of a bill last session that would have commissioned a
feasibility study on opening an overdose prevention site--a place where people can use illicit drugs without fear of arrest, and with medical supervision in case of an overdose.
Source: VT Digger on 2022 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Sep 16, 2022
Bernie Sanders:
Rated A+ by NORML: 1st to call to end marijuana prohibition
NORML Politician Info: rated A+- Candidate: Bernie Sanders
- Summary: LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE/DECRIMINALIZE/MEDICAL USE: Sanders supports legalization of marijuana nationwide, full record expungement
of those who have been harmed, and creating an industry that allows participation & ownership by those from the communities hardest hit by criminalization. He was the first Senator in US history to introduce a bill to end marijuana prohibition.
Source: NORML "Smoke the Vote" on 2024 Vermont Senate race
Aug 8, 2024
Phil Scott:
Rated C+ by NORML: depenalize marijuana use
NORML Politician Info: rated C+- Candidate: Phil Scott (R-VT): Holds office: Governor; Candidate for Governor on 8/13/24
- NORML Summary: Governor Scott supports the depenalization of marijuana use. He has
also expressed hesitation in regulating commercial marijuana sale in the state.
- Comments: Scott signed legislation in 2018 depenalizing minor marijuana possession and cultivation activities, but in 2019 he expressed opposition toward
legislative efforts to expand the law to regulate commercial activities.
- Scott is the first Governor to sign legislation passed by both chambers depenalizing the possession and use of marijuana by adults. He acknowledged doing so with "mixed
emotions." (1/22/18)
- In regard to legalizing the personal possession and home cultivation of marijuana, Scott said "It's not a high priority for me, but I did make a commitment that I was supportive of the bill that was put together" (12/1/17)
Source: NORML "Smoke the Vote" on 2024 Vermont Senate race
Aug 8, 2024
Esther Charlestin:
Education and treatment for young drug users
Duval: I don't think overdose prevention centers would address root cause of this drug. It's not just opioids, it's drugs generally, the supply of these drugs, and would make it easier for users to continue to use. The way to address that is to get
the supply back into official channels. Back to the point where doctors are prescribing medications for addiction that aren't for addicts, and having a safer supply that causes the underground market to shrivel up.Charlestin: Well, I would approach
it making sure that we educate young folks, because I think the marketing is for young people to get into it. And so making sure that they know the dangers and working with school districts. I would say having Medicaid cover 90-day treatment centers to
make sure that the folks are getting the help that they need. So yes, they can stop. But what about the support after would be important, and working with police to make sure it's cracked down.
Source: Vermont Public Radio on 2024 Vermont Gubernatorial debate
Jul 25, 2024
Peter Duval:
Don't think overdose prevention centers address root cause
Education and treatment for young drug users
Duval: I don't think overdose prevention centers would address root cause of this drug. It's not just opioids, it's drugs generally, the supply of these drugs, and would make it easier for users to continue to use. The way to address that is to get
it making sure that we educate young folks, because I think the marketing is for young people to get into it. And so making sure that they know the dangers and working with school districts. I would say having Medicaid cover 90-day treatment centers to
make sure that the folks are getting the help that they need. So yes, they can stop. But what about the support after would be important, and working with police to make sure it's cracked down.
Source: Vermont Public Radio on 2024 Vermont Gubernatorial debate
Jul 25, 2024
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026