Terri Hallenbeck

Free Press Staff Writer

The state plans a public hearing Nov. 12 on the possibility of legalizing marijuana.

The hearing, from 3:30-5:30 p.m., will be conducted via Vermont Interactive Technologies, which has nine sites throughout the state where people can gather to participate.

The state has contracted with RAND Drug Policy Research Center to do a study on issues surrounding legalization in Vermont as the Legislature considers whether Vermont should follow Colorado and Washington in legalizing the drug. The state is due to report back to the Legislature by Jan. 15 on the issue.

At the hearing, Administration Secretary Jeb Spaulding will be joined by Beau Kilmer, co-director of the RAND center. Attendees will have a chance to comment.

The hearing will be held at VIT sites in Bennington, Brattleboro, Middlebury, Montpelier, Newport, Randolph Center, Springfield, St. Albans and Williston.

For more information on Vermont Interactive Technologies and directions to the sites, visit: http://www.vitlink.org