Gov. Scott says he will sign marijuana bill

MONTPELIER - Gov. Phil Scott intends to sign the marijuana legalization bill, he said Thursday at his first news conference since the final version of the bill cleared the House and Senate.

H. 511 would remove all state penalties for adults who possess up to one ounce of marijuana and two mature or four immature plants. The bill does not allow any retail sales for the drug or generate new tax revenue. It would take effect July 1.

More: Vermont Senate gives final OK to marijuana bill, governor's desk next

Scott vetoed a version of the legalization effort that passed the Legislature last spring, saying the bill passed too quickly for him to lay out specific concerns about penalties for selling marijuana to minors, using marijuana while driving and several other topics. The governor pledged in May to sign a revised bill that addressed his concerns.

The bill cleared the final legislative hurdle Wednesday and now will be reviewed by lawyers for technical errors before being sent to the governor. Scott will have five days to sign the bill, and he has not yet announced whether he will host a public signing ceremony.

Scott said Thursday that his approval would not be contingent on the contents of a report from his state marijuana commission, which is due Monday. Some opponents of legalization had urged a delay.

"I still firmly believe what you do in your own home should be your business as long as it doesn't affect someone else," Scott said.

If Scott signs the bill, Vermont will become the first state to legalize marijuana through the legislative process, rather than in response to a voter referendum.

Some proponents of legalization hope Vermont will set up a taxed and regulated marijuana market. The governor's commission is scheduled to share recommendations about regulation in December.

Contact April McCullum at 802-660-1863 or amccullum@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @April_McCullum.

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