A plan to legalize the use of edible, vapor and topical marijuana products by those with chronic conditions has cleared a key vote Utah’s Senate.
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However, Ferrioli and other Republicans voted against the measure, because they feel it’s unconstitutional and will be overturned in the courts.
“I hope we will act today not out of fear but out of hope and out of compassion and out of a belief that people do have a right to make decisions about their own care and government doesn’t always get it right”, Madsen said.
The bill restricts the number of growers in the state to 30.
The Senate rejected several amendments to delay legalization implementation to 2019. The shadows of prohibition have prevented our state from taking rational steps to address marijuana use in our state.
Under the measure, MI residents will be able to possess up to an ounce of marijuana and five marijuana plants. If it passes, the bill’s fate is uncertain in the House.
If passed, the law would create a 25 percent sales tax on marijuana.
Vermont must front $2 million to begin the law’s regulation. Combined with the licensing fees for growers and retailers, this would generate up to $20 million in new revenue for the state.
“This bill will allow Vermont to undercut the black market and get rid of illegal drug dealers, focus on prevention and treatment, and do a better job than we do now of keeping marijuana out of the hands of children and addressing drugged drivers who are already on Vermont’s roads”, said Gov. Shumlin. To date, four other states have legalized marijuana by referendum, with Vermont being the first to do so by the Legislature, and we are in the position to review the positive and negative effects on their states before we act.
WPTZ NewsChannel 5’s Stewart Ledbetter is in Montpelier gathering more information on this developing story.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
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“A lot of people are frustrated” that the push to legalize recreational marijuana has made it this far but doesn’t allow for homegrown, he said.
