Vetoed by Governor Phil Scott

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that limits the penalties for adults 21 years or older who are found in possession of 1 ounce or less of marijuana, effective July 1, 2018.

Highlights:

• Prohibits penalties for possession of 1 ounce or less of marijuana and 2 mature and 4 immature marijuana plants for an individual who is 21 years of age or older (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that individuals under 21 years of age who are found in possession of the above amounts of marijuana may be required to complete the Youth Substance Abuse Safety Program (Sec. 6)

• Reduces the criminal sentencing laws for individuals that are found in possession of larger quantities than specified above to (Sec. 3):

• Up to 6 months imprisonment and a $500 fine for a 1st offense of more than 1 ounce, 2 mature plants, or 4 immature plants;

• Up to 2 years imprisonment and a $2,000 fine for a 2nd offense of the above;

• Up to 3 years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine for an offense of 2 ounces of marijuana or 10 grams of hashish;

• Up to 5 years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine for an offense of 1 pound of marijuana, 2.8 ounces of hashish, 6 mature plants, or 12 immature plants; and

• Up to 15 years imprisonment and a $500,000 fine for an offense of 10 pounds of marijuana, 1 pound of hashish, 12 mature plants, or 24 immature plants.

• Prohibits any individual from furnishing marijuana or enabling the consumption of marijuana to an individual under 21 years of age (Sec. 8)

• Prohibits the use of marijuana in public spaces and specifies that individuals who violate this will be assessed a civil penalty according to the frequency and severity of the infraction (Sec. 4).

• Prohibits the use of any amount of marijuana by any driver or passenger while operating a motor vehicle (Sec. 4).

• Prohibits the use of marijuana in the presence of a child or near child care facilities (Secs. 15 & 16).

• Authorizes non-governmental institutions, employers, schools, landowners, and correctional facilities to assess penalties and adapt their own policies with regards to marijuana usage and employee termination (Sec. 4).

• Prohibits the chemical extraction of concentrated marijuana via chemical synthesis, which is punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment and a $5,000 fine (Sec. 10).

• Establishes a regulatory structure for legalizing marijuana while preventing youth access and racial discrimination (Sec. 17).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that limits the penalties for adults 21 years or older who are found in possession of 1 ounce or less of marijuana, effective July 1, 2018.

Highlights:

• Prohibits penalties for possession of 1 ounce or less of marijuana and 2 mature and 4 immature marijuana plants for an individual who is 21 years of age or older (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that individuals under 21 years of age who are found in possession of the above amounts of marijuana may be required to complete the Youth Substance Abuse Safety Program (Sec. 6)

• Reduces the criminal sentencing laws for individuals that are found in possession of larger quantities than specified above to (Sec. 3):

• Up to 6 months imprisonment and a $500 fine for a 1st offense of more than 1 ounce, 2 mature plants, or 4 immature plants;

• Up to 2 years imprisonment and a $2,000 fine for a 2nd offense of the above;

• Up to 3 years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine for an offense of 2 ounces of marijuana or 10 grams of hashish;

• Up to 5 years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine for an offense of 1 pound of marijuana, 2.8 ounces of hashish, 6 mature plants, or 12 immature plants; and

• Up to 15 years imprisonment and a $500,000 fine for an offense of 10 pounds of marijuana, 1 pound of hashish, 12 mature plants, or 24 immature plants.

• Prohibits any individual from furnishing marijuana or enabling the consumption of marijuana to an individual under 21 years of age (Sec. 8)

• Prohibits the use of marijuana in public spaces and specifies that individuals who violate this will be assessed a civil penalty according to the frequency and severity of the infraction (Sec. 4).

• Prohibits the use of any amount of marijuana by any driver or passenger while operating a motor vehicle (Sec. 4).

• Prohibits the use of marijuana in the presence of a child or near child care facilities (Secs. 15 & 16).

• Authorizes non-governmental institutions, employers, schools, landowners, and correctional facilities to assess penalties and adapt their own policies with regards to marijuana usage and employee termination (Sec. 4).

• Prohibits the chemical extraction of concentrated marijuana via chemical synthesis, which is punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment and a $5,000 fine (Sec. 10).

• Establishes a regulatory structure for legalizing marijuana while preventing youth access and racial discrimination (Sec. 17).

Full Bill Text

Highlights: