Updated at 12:45 p.m., February 10, 2017, with a statement from Rebecca Kelley.
Gov. Phil Scott’s administration came out Thursday firmly against a marijuana legalization bill that has sparked interest in the House.
“We oppose this bill,” Vermont State Police Major Glenn Hall told the House Judiciary Committee on Thursday morning.
“We,” as it turns out, extends beyond the state police to the governor and his administration.
“We speak with one voice,” said Public Safety Commissioner Tom Anderson. “That’s what the governor stands for also.”
Hall’s comments represent a shift from Scott’s own. The newly elected Republican governor has not embraced legalization, but he hasn’t explicitly come out against it either.
Last week, Scott said, “I didn’t say, ‘Never.’ I said, ‘Not now,'” adding that he’d prefer legislators focus on economic issues. He also said that highway safety and protecting youths remain concerns.
Hall was more explicit. He told the House Judiciary Committee that the legalization proposal, based on a law in Washington, D.C., “raises serious public safety concerns” and is largely “unenforceable.”
The committee is considering a bill that would legalize possession of up to two ounces of harvested marijuana, two mature plants and seven immature plants. The bill would not legalize sale or public use of the drug.
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“Two ounces of marijuana, we feel, is a significant quantity,” Hall said. “I think it’s a significant jump when you go from decriminalization to legalization.”
Hall said that if possession of that much marijuana is legal, police will have a harder time arresting dealers. An adult w
aiting in a high school parking lot with two ounces divvied up into smaller portions might be trying to sell that pot to teens, he said, but police won’t be able to simply arrest the person for possession.
“There’s not much I can do, short of witnessing an actual sale, which is not easy to do,” Hall said.
It’s no surprise that state police oppose legalization. But there’s a different dynamic to the debate this year under the administration of Scott, a Republican, than there was last year under Democratic governor Peter Shumlin.
Shumlin strongly supported legalization. His Public Safety commissioner, Keith Flynn, walked a careful middle line, while state police raised technical concerns.
Anderson said that sort of split wouldn’t occur in the Scott administration. “There won’t be different parts of DPS speaking on different sides of a bill,” Anderson said. “We will speak with one voice and it will generally be whatever the governor’s view is.”
The committee’s reaction to Hall’s testimony signaled another change in the debate this year.
When Hall said that legalization would make it harder to keep marijuana out of kids’ hands, committee chair Maxine Grad (D-Moretown) pushed back, arguing that that was not true of alcohol.
When Hall cited a Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area report on how legalization is playing out in Colorado, Grad openly scoffed. That report’s flaws have been widely noted, she said.
A year ago, Grad was skeptical of legalization. This year, she’s sponsoring the legalization bill, minus the Colorado-style taxed and regulated pot shops and lounges.
She said after the meeting that her committee will discuss whether to change the amount of marijuana that would be legal from two ounces to something less.
Scott spokeswoman Rebecca Kelley said Friday that while the governor, Public Safety and state police are aligned on the issue, Scott is willing to review any legalization bill the legislature sends him.
“Questions to be answered include a sufficient ability to measure impairment for highway safety, and better understanding impacts on public health,” she said.
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As someone who does support legalization (including for regulated sale), two ounces does seem like a lot considering the current bill. One ounce is plenty.
And just how will they raise revenue with no commercial sales. Massachusetts will reap all the goodies. To little too late VT!
So now that he’s Governor, Phil Scott is finally being forced to take actual positions on issues – something he strenuously avoided as a candidate back in 2016.
Guess he can’t just bob and weave any longer.
Too bad he wasn’t willing to tell voters then how he actually stood on issues like this where he stands in opposition to public opinion.
Scott is going to have to legalize it, especially if New York does it as well and maybe New Hampshire. I think the biggest caution for Scott is that it is still federally illegal and he is afraid of pissing of the feds and that the banks cannot cash the tax money we’ll reap for the legal pot. Too bad Mass is going to beat us and all that money is going south.
What a joke really We now are in crisis mode with heroin addicts and a place to get help and rehab and there are people taking up our prison space for pot get with the times goverment folks! Already a fail for Scott….
Cops are probably opposed to it because they would have to give up all the money they get from stealing our property even before a conviction has taken place. I’d stay and write more but I have to get to the liquor store and buy a few gallons of gin and scotch and a carton of Marlboro’s. I have to meet my dealer out back as well to get more of those awesome Oxycodone pills and some heroin. It’s always good to take a few and wash them down with a shot of Crown Royal on the trip home. It’s nice to know the cops are keeping me safe by keeping that infernal pot off the street.
I guess the question for me about the issue is “what are we so afraid of, that we have to keep illegal, a plant?”
This State is full of qualified and educated doctors to safely prescribe it – in fact they already do.
This State is full of qualified legislators to enact safeguards-they do it every day in the Statehouse.
This State is full of qualified safety enforcement personnel to ensure our public byways remain safe-they do it everyday.
This State is full of passionate educators dedicated to informing the public of reckless use-they do this everyday.
This State is full of qualified, educated health care professionals to help you overcome any abuse or injury resulting in misuse-they do it everyday.
Let’s face it – marijuana legalization in Vermont is a jobs bill.
To say these wonderful residents of this State CAN’T do this when it comes to marijuana is such a slap in the face to all the years of schooling, work experience and compassion they bring to their positions everyday. A travesty. And it really shows that Gov. Scott doesn’t trust them to do this. Guess he’s really not serious about creating jobs and keeping people in State.
If you disagree with the governor on this I urge you to let him know through letters, faxes, and calls. The people still getting arrested over a plant for no damn reason can’t wait until the governor is personally comfortable enough with the idea to move foreword. There will always be “more pressing concerns” and to dismiss this issue out of hand because he thinks it’s not an important enough concern is offensive.
Reading this from Connecticut, where I had to move to get steady (and much higher paying) employment (and CT is screwed up so that’s saying something). I had hoped that legalization would go through, the economy would get boosted, and I’d be able to return home. Oh well. So much for my 860 to 802 plans for now. Maybe Zuckerman can break bread & cannabutter with Scott and change his mind.
For a state so worried about youth leaving
I find it ignorant to keep cannabis illegal.
A lot of youth dreamed to move to Colorado when they legalized. That dream is more possible with neighboring states that are legal as of now. Esp. now, tax season…
Even the older financially stable people who support legalization will move or have allready.
There are probably even fellow state reps that are classy as can get in VT, that use cannabis
That are completely private about it, due to fellow statesmen being possessed by the ghost of Henry Anslinger.
Too bad Scott and friends don’t understand that legalizing and regulating cannabis is key to the understanding and solution of our opiate problem.
We’d all be better off if the police would focus on crimes with actual victims.
FACT Marijuana is less addictive and less harmful than Caffeine, let alone Alcohol and Tobacco; (3 Scientific Studies)
BTW, Dr Henningfield is a former NIDA Staffer;.
Addictiveness of Marijuana – ProCon.Org
procon.Org/view.background-resource.php?re…
As an independent I voted for Phil Scott in the hope he would be reasonable about this issue once entering office. Marijuana legalization is going to happen, several republican administrations commissioned studies going back many decades trying to prove marijuana is a ‘bad’ drug. All of the studies found otherwise and thus were shelved.
As state after state around us legalizes marijuana, it becomes less reasonable for Vermont to stand alone. Alcohol is legal, it causes problems, we deal with them as an acceptable price to pay. It is the same for marijuana. Yes, legalization will cause problems, but those problems are less destructive than many other legal drugs including tobacco and alcohol and prescription barbiturates.
Please Governor Scott, work with the legislature to pass a legalized marijuana law, it is past due and given the state of our government, people need to be able to self medicate more than ever.
I concur with every comment posted here… Mr. Scott, the time is now, please, no more waffling & warbling…
Lead, or our Legislative body & Lt. Guv shall.
Appreciate it!
As a professional healthcare worker I can honestly say that I’ve never seen someone come In with a cannabis-related illness or injury. Sure there are people that feel they are mentally addicted to the drug but there is absolutely no physical addiction and withdrawal. We prescribe hundreds of drugs that have far worse affects.
I’m on board with homegrown, it’s the VT way but how does this help our economy? The underground pot growers will still grow and sell and provide no tax dollars to out our economy. The two plant and two ounce limit is a joke and highly unforceable. You can get a pound off one plant if it’s big enough.
Looking toward Colorado their economy and people are thriving. Stop making excuses about catching stoned drivers and other issues you cannot control. Vermont is marketing their amazing craft beer and cider and we think cannabis is worse?! Please I see so many alcohol related medical issues. Let’s get smart about this and provide relief for our tax base, provide thousands of new jobs, and strengthen our failing infrastructure.
It shouldn’t matter how much you have. It’s not like you can OD or get addicted to it? It would be like telling people they can only have a 6 pack of beer on them and two kegs. lol
My only suggestion is to really look at the reports and valid information about marijuana. I will admit i used to be recreational back in my teens and 20’s. But as the years go by and i am obviously aging along with the times. I find marijuana very helpful for arthritic pain in all my joints, my relentless fatigue and my depression/anxiety. I pray that Governor Scott and the VSP will take the time to really investigate the whole issue around this. I am actually seeking medical support so I can actually be able to use this as a relief with my pains and tiredness. In my pwn personal situation i would prefer marijuana over opiates and other painkillers, as in BUP. Alcohol is poison to me so thats out of the question anyhow. Maine is giving it a chance so why cant New England try it as well. if it becomes social travesty then modify or change the law.
Very very disappointing to hear Governor Scott not showing any interest in supporting legalization of marijuana in Vermont.
Listening to the statement from Major Glenn Hall shows exactly how out of touch law enforcement and the current administration is with the science and statistics related to legalization.
Trying to tie this in as a Public Health crisis is right in line with “reefer madness” and shows a lack of understanding and immature stance regarding this subject. The statistics are clear and there is data readily available.
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/amphtml/news/wonk/wp/2016/12/21/one-of-the-greatest-fears-about-legalizing-marijuana-has-so-far-failed-to-happen/?client=safari
So for all of you…It is no longer an issue of right and wrong. Your thinking, has tanked to the level of…why not legalize another drug, with the excuse that alcohol is worse! WOW! look at all the money it would bring in…so do it up for the money$$! What does that say about our value system and the message we are broadcasting to our children? There is no longer a sense of moral fortitude? Let’s just sell it on every street corner so everyone can be a drug dealer and be proud of it because…it is legal! Dig deep and explore where our thinking has migrated? To a higher standard? Or are we headed somewhere else?
It’s time to move on this. The governor and state are going to miss out on a great opportunity to better our communitys. With most of the states around us legalizing it Vermont will see a huge influx of cannabis from these legal states. This is only going to drive the black market value down to a level where the state can’t compete if it does legalize. If the governor isn’t going to act on the people’s will, which is his job, then maybe we can pass it on our own with the majority of citizens supporting it. How would we go about it??? Any suggestions
So disappointed in Phil Scott! Wish I hadn’t voted for him. Our poulation is leaving for lack of jobs and freedom The states around us will reap the benefits of legalization and we will not. The heroin/ opiod problem will continue and they will still blame marijuanna because the dealers can sell it along with the white stuff. WAKE UP ! Seperating weed from heroin by legalizing weed fights heroin. Who wants to be a heroin addict?
What a joke really We now are in crisis mode with heroin addicts and a place to get help and rehab and there are people taking up our prison space for pot get with the times government folks! Already a fail for Scott….I believe this wholeheartedly. Why do you want to slow down progress. It really doesnt make any sense at all.
I’ve had Multiple Sclerosis for 34 years; marijuana makes my life more functional and reduces chronic whole-body, 24/7 pain, and cuts the depression associated with chronic debilitation. Currently I’ve got to jump through hoops and pay $100/year to the VT Criminal(?) Information Center for designation as a medical marijuana patient.
Stop dithering like _Ma Kettle_ or _Lucy Ricardo_ and make it legal: Sell it, tax it (save for verified, PERMANENT medical exemptions, and control it in liquor outlets.
Right now, Killer Alcohol is the norm (e.g. Sen. Ted Kennedy, q.v.). A Vermont State Trooper, coincidentally remarked, “At worst, a pot smoker on the road — without alcohol — would slow traffic… and sit at an intersection waiting for the stop sign to turn green!”
Marijuana slows one down; eases pain; helps with depression and does NOT, as does hooch, turn drivers into uncontrolled, barely punished vehicular murderers.
Q.E.D.
The development of Federal and Vermont legislators is arrested in 1939’s “Reefer Madness” mentality while many need alcohol rehab. It’s about time they grew a pair and grew up!