Gov. Peter Shumlin said Tuesday he wouldn’t use marijuana even if it were legal in Vermont.
“Been there, done that,” Shumlin replied to a question at a news conference that covered a variety of topics.
Shumlin said that he used marijuana as a young adult, but found that as he got older and had more responsibilities, “It wasn’t much fun anymore.” The 58-year-old gov said a lot of people in his generation feel the same way.
Shumlin, who’s been a supporter of marijuana reform groups, has said he leans in favor of legalization but wants to wait for more information from the legalizations in Colorado and Washington before Vermont goes there.
Shumlin has declined to put a time frame to that.
A recent study on the impacts of legalization in Vermont was delivered by the RAND Corporation. The report estimated that Vermont could make $20 to $75 million a year from taxing pot, but did not make any recommendations.
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Well, I must applaud the Governor for being honest for once. However, the reality is that huge amounts of marijuana will be grown in Vermont, harvested and consumed by many Vermonters regardless of how other states fare and regardless of what the RAND Corp suggests. So, why wait to generate needed revenue when this is a sure way and a sure bet to bring millions of dollars into the state treasury? Delaying legalization certainly won’t reduce consumption.
Many use it for medicinal use or recreational. Regardless of a persons use its not going to stop them now or because a RAND study or politicians who can’t recognize the obvious.
We have serious budget shortfalls and this is one of the clearest paths to generate needed revenue for vital state programs. Let’s legalize marijuana in the current legislative session and move on to other important issues.
Thanks Terri Hallenbeck for your terrific reporting.
Best,
Thomas Joseph
I like the Governor and the Vermont Congressional delegation for their honesty and political stances. Move to a state like Arizona like I did, and you appreciate the politics of Vermont much more. The Republicans have only shot themselves in the foot here and not created a better economy. Compassion builds a better economy I believe. Only thing is get the gun control under control Vermont.