MONTPELIER - Gov. Phil Scott has yet to decide whether he will sign a marijuana legalization bill that passed the Vermont Legislature this month.

The first-term Republican can choose to sign the bill, veto the bill, or allow it to become law without his signature.

"I'm not philosophically opposed to it," Scott said, adding that he wants any legal marijuana system to address highway safety and protecting children from edible marijuana products. "I'm not sure that the time is right now."

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Scott's office has been flooded with calls and notes on the marijuana issue, including identical letters in support of the bill. Scott said they have not swayed his opinion.

"Public opinion obviously matters," Scott said, "but again, I have to do what I think is right for the state throughout from a public safety standpoint."

The bill that passed the Vermont Legislature would remove all penalties for people who possess less than one ounce of marijuana or several plants on July 1, 2018. The bill also sets up a commission to study the possibility of a regulated marijuana market.

Unless Scott blocks the bill, Vermont would become the first state to legalize the drug apart from a public vote.

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

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