Gov. Shumlin Statement on Senate Appropriations Passage of Marijuana Legalization Bill

Statement

Gov. Peter Shumlin issued the following statement after the Senate Appropriations Committee passed S.241, legislation to legalize marijuana in Vermont. This follows favorable votes in both the Senate Judiciary and Finance Committees. The bill is scheduled to go to the full Senate later this week.

"Over the past month and a half, the Vermont Senate has shown once again how our state has the capacity to have a thoughtful debate about an important issue facing our state. The Senate has asked the right questions, explored the lessons learned from other states that have gone before us, and crafted a cautious, step-by-step approach that I believe will result in a smarter policy towards marijuana in Vermont. Starting with Senator Dick Sears in the Judiciary Committee, the legislation has benefited from the thoughtful leadership of many, including Senator Tim Ashe in the Finance Committee and Senator Jane Kitchel in the Appropriations Committee.

"This bill will allow Vermont to undercut the black market and get rid of illegal drug dealers, focus on prevention and treatment, and do a better job than we do currently of keeping marijuana out of the hands of children and addressing drugged drivers who are already on Vermont's roads.

"The War on Drugs policy of marijuana prohibition has failed. We can and should take a smarter approach. I look forward to continuing to work with the Legislature as this bill moves forward."

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