Phil Scott in Marijuana Policy Project

On Drugs: 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

On Drugs: 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

On Drugs: 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

The above quotations are from The Marijuana Policy Project. Click here for other excerpts from The Marijuana Policy Project. Click here for other excerpts by Phil Scott. Click here for a profile of Phil Scott.
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Page last updated: Dec 10, 2020