Vermont lawmakers can expect to hear both sides of the debate over the legalization of marijuana when the new biennium begins in January.
A group of Vermonters who oppose legalization, formerly known as SMART Vermont, has aligned with the national organization Smart Approaches to Marijuana. The new group, SAM-VT, will lobby against any bill to legalize cannabis.
That will pit the group against the Marijuana Policy Project, which has lobbied for the legal use of recreational and medicinal marijuana around the country.
SAM is a volunteer-based organization that believes “in an approach that neither legalizes, nor demonizes, marijuana,” according to its website.
SAM is supported by former Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., son of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass. Patrick Kennedy served eight terms in the U.S. House and did not seek re-election in 2010. He has said his battles with drug addiction led him to oppose the legalization of marijuana.
SAM argues against marijuana for many reasons, according to its website, including its concern that legalization will create a corporate pot products industry akin to “Big Tobacco.”
The group also cites public health and safety concerns, including the drug’s effect on adolescents and children.
’We want to inform’
Debby Haskins of Calais, a drug counselor and the leader of SMART Vermont, will serve as executive director of SAM-VT.
Haskins said SAM-VT will not receive financial support from the parent organization.
“We are taking no outside money, we use all volunteers and no one is being paid,” including Haskins, she said. Haskins said her group has fewer than 50 members but expects to grow as the debate proceeds in Vermont.
She said that instead of money, SAM will provide research to bolster the argument against legalization.
“We want to inform lawmakers, to raise awareness and have a thoughtful discussion,” Haskins said. “Why do we want to legalize another drug?”
Haskins said Vermont should take time to gather information about the costs and effects of marijuana use and allow the recent legalization laws in Colorado and Washington to play out.
“Marijuana does not improve kids’ lives,” she said.
A spokesman for the Marijuana Policy Project said he anticipated the Vermont group’s alliance with SAM. Matt Simon, New England policy adviser for MPP, said he is well-versed in the arguments against legalization.
“We’ve been in Vermont for a long time and know what the issues are,” Simon said. “I anticipate a robust public debate in the next session.”
MPP lobbied on behalf of a bill to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana in 2013.
Sen. David Zuckerman, P/D-Chittenden, introduced a bill to legalize marijuana last session and is expected to do so again in 2015.
SAM-VT paid “a small stipend” to the Montpelier lobbying firm Ellis Mills Public Affairs for its help in opposing legalization, Haskins said.
MPP has retained the Necrason Group to lobby on behalf of legalization.
DISCLOSURE: Kevin Ellis of Ellis Mills is a member of the board of the Vermont Journalism Trust, which governs VTDigger.org.
