The marijuana decriminalization bill is headed to Gov. Peter Shumlin’s desk to be signed into law. The House agreed Monday to accept the changes made to the bill on the Senate side, marking an end to legislative work on the bill.
H.200 makes possession of an ounce or less of marijuana a civil penalty rather than a criminal offense. The bill, now passed by both chambers, prompted a lengthy debate in the House and a markedly shorter discussion in the Senate.
One complication has arisen from a change the Senate made around the penalties for possessing hashish, a more potent version of marijuana, but due to Republican opposition, that is being addressed in a different bill.
A rundown of the other changes made by the Senate Judiciary Committee can be found here.
Shumlin expressed his support for the bill in a statement released Monday:
“I applaud the Legislature’s action to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana. Vermonters support sensible drug policies. This legislation allows our courts and law enforcement to focus their limited resources more effectively to fight highly addictive opiates such as heroin and prescription drugs that are tearing apart families and communities.”
