VT House Republicans block marijuana legalization bill

April McCullum | Burlington Free Press

Show Caption Hide Caption VIDEO: Gov. Scott on why he'll veto marijuana bill Gov. Phil Scott said he's sending the marijuana legalization bill, S.22, back to lawmakers with suggestions. He says the bill doesn't do enough to protect children, among other concerns.

MONTPELIER - An effort to legalize marijuana in Vermont appears dead for the year after Gov. Phil Scott's veto, because the House of Representatives refused to take up a new version of the bill.

House Republicans blocked consideration of the legalization bill Wednesday evening during a special veto session.

The Senate easily approved the bill earlier in the day. The House would have needed 107 votes to suspend normal procedural rules and fast-track the bill.

The roll call vote was 78-63.

The bill is expected to be tabled until the Legislature returns for its normal session in January.

More: Vermont AG: Take more time on marijuana bill

Vermont marijuana veto: What's next

Gov. Scott vetoes legal marijuana, but summer could bring compromise

The bill would have allowed adults to possess 1 ounce or less of marijuana, plus two mature or four immature marijuana plants, beginning in July 2018.

Vermont previously lifted criminal penalties for low-level marijuana possession. The legalization bill also would have removed civil penalties in July 2018.

Wednesday's new version of the bill responded to Scott's veto by clarifying penalties for people who provide marijuana to minors or who use marijuana in a vehicle.

The new bill also would have expanded the membership and scope of a study commission that would examine the possibility of a legal marijuana market in Vermont. The commission's first report would have been due in January, rather than this November.

Nearly all House Republicans, who hold 53 seats, voted against the rule suspension for considering the marijuana measure.

"Everybody in this state understands that marijuana is going to become law in Vermont at some point," said House Republican Leader Don Turner, R-Milton, speaking at a party caucus.

"Someday it's going to be here," Turner said. "But is this the time? I don't know."

House Speaker Mitzi Johnson, D-South Hero, was unwilling to extend the special veto session to allow the marijuana bill to pass at a normal pace.

Contact April McCullum at 802-660-1863 or amccullum@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @April_McCullum. Do you have a breaking news tip? Call us at 802-660-6500 or send us a post on Facebook or Twitter using #BFPTips.