Gov. Phil Scott confirmed Thursday that he will sign a bill legalizing personal cultivation and possession of marijuana — but he will not hold a signing ceremony.
The governor’s chief counsel, Jaye Pershing Johnson, is currently reviewing the bill. Scott said that is the only remaining step in the process, and he expects to sign it in short order.
“It won’t be a public signing, but I’ll sign it,” he said.
When asked why he would sign behind closed doors, Scott said, “There are many people on both sides of the fence. Some are very happy about it, and some are very displeased as well. I recognize that, and want to respect that some feel that this is not a momentous occasion.”
Scott has until Monday to sign or veto the bill, or let it become law without his signature. The law would take effect on July 1.
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He’s the most wish-washy politician. There are people opposed to lots of things, yet you sign other laws in public.
Profiles in Courage. Alas, not.
People have worked countless years to end this stupid and expensive war on marijuana. The Lt. Gov was one the first politicians in the county to publicly advocate marijuana legalization, Vermont was the first state to pass it though the legislature and our Gov refuses to celebrate the history of this moment. Phil Scott is such a piece of shit, this is a slap in the face to the people who have worked incredibly hard to get to this point.
Its no small thing that a GOP governor, and one that has publicly stated he leaned toward NOT legalizing marijuana, is willing to sign the bill. He doesn’t have to, be could just let it pass into law without his signature. I’m grateful that he thinks enough of those of us who disagreed with him that he is willing to participate, to say ‘alright people of VT, so be it.’
As far as a slap in the face, WHAT are you talking about? Did we work to get the bill passed or did we work for an ‘attaboy’ and ego gratification? Maybe you just need an enemy?
My suggestion you guys: on July 2nd get together, smoke a joint legally, and chill the f@#% out.
To quote Bob Dylan, “the sun’s not yellow, it’s CHICKEN.”
Scott is a coward. Instead of standing up to the pot heads and their phony propaganda he has caved. Maybe he thinks that this will get the leftists to vote for him? Maybe some will but not enough to counteract the votes of Vermonters who feel betrayed by his cowardice.
How will this affect our brand as a wholesome, family friendly state ? It won’t. This did not NEED to happen, there many more pressing issues than pot reform. I can see yet more and more people leaving the State.
I will not vote for this Governor again !
So he doesn’t sign it in public! BIG, FAT, HAIRY DEAL! Not! At least he’s going to sign it. I think he is being respectful of those who are worried by this legislation. As I recall, the governor who was in office when the Civil Unions bill was passed (following a Vermont Supreme Court decision that said it violated the Vermont Constitution to deny same-sex partners the rights and benefits awarded husbands and wives, and directed the legislature to pass suitable legislation addressing this issue) allowed the bill to become law without his signature. That’s because he couldn’t veto it, I guess. At least Gov. Scott is SIGNING it. Chill out, folks!
I don’t really care where he signs it, or how he signs it. Whether he uses a blue pen or a red pen. Whether he is alone or surrounded by many. Whether he smiles or frowns as he signs. I just want him to sign the darn thing and remove the formal roadblocks! Point is-I just want it to be legal! Hurry UP, already!
About darn time, but the legislature and Scott win zero friends by legalizing with too little, too late. Shame on Governor Scott, who vetoed more or less the exact same bill last year while holding his breath for an alcohol-type road test that is still in the very early stages of development. Scott then says he’ll sign this year because the public supports it, as if legal pot hasn’t had majority support in VT for years. And now, he signs it in his basement so his friends won’t be upset (they will be anyway).
But the bill shouldn’t have a ceremony, because it’s nothing to be proud of. It accepts all of the cons — drugged driving, enforcement costs, a black market instead of a legal one — and delivers none of the pros — like revenue and jobs. Why is Governor “Affordability” even signing, considering his economic “principles”? Again, Scott reveals he will do anything to avoid a controversy, and in doing so pleases no one, instead only confirming the many accusations that he is wishy-washy.
Give it a couple years, and as tourists flock to Massachusetts and other surrounding areas to indulge in weed, then bring it legally to Vermont, which will be paying to regulate but never collecting, and there will be nothing but regret over this bill.
This will eventually morph into what the state’s true end game is….. Creating a way to regulate and tax marijuana. It’s all about the money. I no longer feel Phil Scott has the capacity to make a deal where he signs off on pot in exchange for a something that would help Republicans. He’s caved to this in exchange for being liked. He’ll probably go limp legged over the ESSEX bill as well. That will be the final straw. Vermont in the rear view mirror will become an increasing reality.