[T]he day before legislation to legalize recreational marijuana hits the Senate floor, the debate is heating up.
Half a dozen Senate committees have already worked on the bill, but it could see further significant edits when it gets to the floor Wednesday. Several senators are floating amendments to the bill, S.241.
One amendment, which originated with the Senate Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs Committee, affirms that the legalization bill would not curtail an employer’s right to drug test employees.
The amendment also would establish a study committee to consider the effect of marijuana and alcohol in the workplace.
The committee drew on testimony from employers concerned about the impact that legalized pot could have on their workforce and their liability.
Cathy Voyer Lamberton, executive vice president of Associated General Contractors of Vermont, said the push to legalize marijuana has concerned many of the employers her trade group represents.
Lamberton said the bill raises concerns about worker safety in a field that involves operation of heavy machinery.
“The bill does nothing to help the employers address workplace safety with a drug that’s deemed illegal by the federal government,” Lamberton said.
Lamberton was clear that even if the amendment is attached to the bill, her organization will not support legalizing marijuana. Employers say they are already struggling with a shortage of eligible workers, and they believe legalization would make that even more challenging.
“We certainly don’t believe that this is the time (or) the place to legalize marijuana at all,” Lamberton said.
The Senate Judiciary Committee discussed the amendment Tuesday morning, with some members raising questions about whether an employer could bar the use of marijuana by an employee outside of work hours.
Two members of the committee plan to offer the amendment on the Senate floor Wednesday.
Another amendment will resurrect discussion about growing marijuana at home. Early in the session, Sen. Dick Sears, D-Bennington, chair of the Judiciary Committee, said he would not support a bill that allows for homegrown pot.
But Sen. John Rodgers, D-Essex-Orleans, said he’s heard from many constituents who are disappointed the bill wouldn’t support small-scale marijuana growers.
“A lot of people are frustrated” that the push to legalize recreational marijuana has made it this far but doesn’t allow for homegrown, he said.
The amendment Rodgers plans to float would allow Vermonters to grow up to three female and three male marijuana plants, as long as they are outdoors and out of public view. The amendment also has support from Sen. David Zuckerman, P/D-Chittenden.
Rodgers said he hasn’t decided whether he’ll support the bill if his amendment isn’t attached.
Other amendments tackle other details of the bill. One, from Sen. Jeanette White, D-Windham, who led the push to write the bill, would clarify what aspects of the system would be public record.
S.241 is scheduled to be on the Senate floor for a vote Wednesday afternoon.
