Vermont House approves legal marijuana market bill

Vermont House approves legal marijuana market bill

Thu, 02/27/2020 - 16:10
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Vermont lawmakers have given the initial green light for a legal market for marijuana.

The House voted 90-54 to pass a taxed and regulated market following hours of debate.

Sales would be charged a 20% tax and some of that revenue would be used for after school and summer learning programs.

The bill also bans flavored cannabis vapes and sets a cap on the potency of the cannabis to 30% THC.

It also creates a cannabis control board to oversee and regulate the sales of marijuana. Its members would be appointed by Gov. Phil Scott, R-Vermont.

Lawmakers also nixed the local options tax for communities that host cannabis retailers.

But still, some have concerns about the bill as is. Rep. Anne Donahue says the bill should do more to address health aspects of marijuana and its effect on young people.

"It's not about some radical extreme health risk, the problem is the minimization of the actual risk that's going on. We know that it's not nothing. We have psychosis induced by marijuana and so forth," said Donahue, R-Northfield.

Lawmakers will make a few amendments on Thursday and then vote on the bill again.

At least one lawmaker will propose a change to the bill, which would curb the advertising of marijuana, as well.

After Thursday's vote, they'll send it to a conference committee where the House and Senate will hash out a final version.

It will be several weeks before the measure makes it to the governor's desk.