Vermont marijuana: Rules of the road both drivers and passengers should know

Would you? Could you? In a car?

Know the pot laws. Here they are:

You must not, should not in a car.

Police may stop you before you're far.

Okay, all silliness aside, this Dr. Seuss-esque rhyme about Vermont's new marijuana laws, which will take effect July 1, is true. According to Act 86, which was signed by Gov. Phil Scott in January, Vermonters definitely should not use marijuana in a car.

This includes all car occupants.

According to the law, even if a person is just a car's passenger, he or she can face fines of up to $200 for using marijuana in the car.

"The prohibition on consumption of marijuana by the operator shall extend to the operator’s consumption of secondhand marijuana smoke in the vehicle as a result of another person’s consumption of marijuana," the law states.

If a child under the age of 18 is in the car, the person using marijuana could face a fine of up to $500 for a first offense, $750 for a second offense and $1,000 for a third or subsequent offense. That person could also get two points on his or her license.

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Someone found to be driving while smoking marijuana faces a civil penalty of up to $500.

Drivers found to be under the influence of drugs, including marijuana, also face criminal penalties:

For a first offense, those convicted face a potential sentence of up to two years in prison or $750 in fines.

For a second offense, convicts face the same prison sentence, but also face up to $1,500 in fines.

For a third offense, those convicted face up to five years in prison or up to $2,500 in fines.

Four or more convictions brings the potential for 10 years in prison and $5,000 in fines.

A person younger than 21 caught with an ounce or less of marijuana will have to enroll in a Youth Substance Abuse Safety Program through diversion court — whether that person is in a car or not. Those who do not complete the program could face a fine and be prohibited from driving for 30 days for a first offense and 90 days for any further offenses.

Contact Elizabeth Murray at 651-4835 or emurray@freepressmedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @LizMurrayBFP.