Advertisement Revised marijuana legalization bill nears first vote in Montpelier 'Cautious, first step' governor says, though skeptics are plenty Share Shares Copy Link Copy

A draft proposal to ease Vermont toward eventual sale and taxation of recreational marijuana is inching forward at the Statehouse.On Tuesday, Gov. Peter Shumlin and a key lawmaker outlined details of the bill now pending before the Senate Judiciary Committee.Watch this story"What most logical people want in Vermont is a cautious first step to legalization of marijuana by reducing civil penalties for 1 ounce or less," Shumlin told reporters.The panel is expected to vote out the bill Friday morning.Under the plan, Vermont would begin shifting to a regulated market -- and permit small amounts of recreational pot as soon as mid-2017, an effort to drive illicit drug dealers out of business. Officials said they have taken to heart lots of advice from leaders in Colorado and Washington State -- the first two states to legalize -- in drafting the proposal.Under the plan:- Adults 21 and over could legally possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana- State would license 30-40 retailers and between 10-20 growers to supply product to consumers- No edible marijuana products would be permitted- Effective date would likely be mid-2017 or 2018 to permit the Public Safety Commissioner time to establish rules and regulatory systems- Home-grown marijuana would remain a criminal offense.Sen. Dick Sears, the judiciary committee chairman, said such a regulated system would be safer for consumers."It's pesticide-free, mold free. Quality tested. The amounts of THC would be tested. We'd know what people are using and people would know the product they're getting. I think that's far superior to the black market," Sears said.At least 12 percent of Vermont adults now acknowledge regularly using marijuana, the governor said, and it's probably higher than that.Sears added the draft bill directs new tax revenue from marijuana sale to fund drug prevention and treatment programs, and to hiring 25 additional state troopers and 10 additional drug recognition experts within the Department of Public Safety.Still, the proposal has many skeptics in Montpelier."There are so many issues I'd have to hear from to be persuaded," said Sen. Dick Mazza, a veteran Democrat from Colchester. "Frankly, I don't think there's time."Several Senate committees want to weigh in on the proposal before it arrives on the Senate floor for a vote. Even if it passes, there is no guarantee the House will act before the session.House Judiciary Chair Maxine Grad said she has no position on the bill and is waiting to see if the Senate acts.