A renewed effort to pass a regulated retail market for marijuana was short-lived. Democratic leadership made a motion to postpone action on it indefinitely, which passed overwhelmingly on a count of 106 to 28.

House Majority Leader Jill Krowinski, D-Burlington, says the House needs to focus on the state budget, education finance and other priorities in the closing weeks of the session. She says lawmakers will be looking at the issue again next year, after a special commission delivers a report on how to create a regulated market is completed in December. "The House has spent a tremendous amount of time this biennium reviewing how we regulate marijuana in this state. The House has took a position and now that has become law -- legalizing marijuana in this state," she said.

Rep. Diana Gonzalez, P-WInooski, says she asked for the bill to be taken up next week to raise revenue for the state's priorities. "We have legalized marijuana and are just leaving money on the table. So we're in this incredibly tight budget with a governor who repeatedly says no new taxes and no new fees even though we have needs," she said.

Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman, a Progressive and Democrat, helped organize Friday's effort to renew debate on marijuana.