Legislators are also nearing final agreement on the bill to legalize and regulate sales — ask your legislators to support S. 54, then call Gov. Phil Scott and ask that he sign both bills into law! The Vermont House of Representatives took a huge step forward today when it voted to approve S. 234, a bill that will automatically expunge all criminal records for past cannabis possession offenses. The bill also decriminalizes possession of cannabis in amounts that modestly exceed the legal limit, which…

The legislature is resuming its work on the bill to legalize and regulate cannabis sales — write your state representatives to follow up on their votes from earlier this year and remind them of S. 54’s importance to Vermont’s economic recovery! Tomorrow, the conference committee that has been formed to work out a final version of Vermont’s cannabis regulation bill will hold its first meeting! S. 54, which already passed the House (90-54) and the Senate (23-5), has been awaiting action from this…

The legislature is planning to resume its work soon — email your elected officials now and urge them to make passage of S. 54 a top priority! Vermont’s economy has been crippled in recent months by COVID-19. It is unfortunate that adult-use cannabis businesses were not already operating before the pandemic arrived, because they could have provided an important source of jobs and tax revenue during the crisis. Fortunately, the legislature will have an opportunity to finish its work and pass a final…

Contact your representatives today and urge them to pass S. 294! Last week, the Vermont Senate passed S. 294, a bill that would require the automatic expungement of all cannabis possession offenses. The bill also includes a provision that would decriminalize possession of cannabis in amounts that are up to twice the legal limit for adults. This important bill faces an uncertain fate in the House of Representatives. Please contact your representatives right now to ask for their support! If S. 294…

Attend your town meeting next week and speak to your representatives about their votes on S. 54! Yesterday, in a historic 90-54 vote, the Vermont House approved the bill to legalize, regulate, and tax cannabis sales. S. 54 passed in a final voice vote today, and it will now return to the Senate. Next, we expect the Senate will work with the House to resolve differences before sending a final version of the bill to Gov. Phil Scott’s desk. Since the House did not pass S. 54 by a veto-proof majority,…

Bill passes final committee — urge your representatives to vote in favor. Today, Vermont’s House Appropriations Committee approved S. 54 in a 6-5 vote. The bill to legalize, regulate, and tax cannabis sales appears likely to receive a vote in the full House later this week. Please contact your representatives now and ask for their support! The House has amended the bill, including by changing the tax rate to a flat 20% (in the Senate’s version, it’s 16% plus a 2% local option tax), but none of…

Urge your representatives to support S. 54! The Vermont Ways and Means Committee approved S. 54 this week in an 8-3 vote. The bill to legalize, regulate, and tax cannabis sales appears likely to receive a vote in the full House within the next couple of weeks. Please contact your representatives now and ask for their support! The House has amended the bill, including by changing the tax rate to a flat 20% (in the Senate’s version, it’s 16% plus a 2% local option tax), but none of the changes are…

To prepare, join advocates for a workshop in Manchester on Tuesday, January 21 — also, email your state legislators today and ask for their support! The state legislature convened last week, and a public hearing has already been scheduled for the new legalization bill, HB 1648, on Thursday, January 23. This would be a great day for you to visit the state house and voice your support! Here are the details: WHAT: Public hearing on HB 1648 WHEN: Advocates will gather for a press conference at 12:30…

The legislative session is beginning, and we need to make sure cannabis regulation is a top priority — write your representatives and urge them to support S. 54! The Vermont Legislature convenes tomorrow — Thursday, January 9 — and we will be at the State House to remind legislators that cannabis regulation should be a top priority in 2020. All members of the Vermont Coalition to Regulate Marijuana are encouraged to join us in Montpelier as we encourage legislators to pass S. 54. Here are the details: WHAT: Cannabis…

Join us for an advocacy day at the State House on Thursday, January 9 — but first, write your representatives and urge them to support S. 54! The Vermont Legislature will convene on Thursday, January 9, so what better day to remind legislators that cannabis regulation needs to be a top priority in 2020? All members of the Vermont Coalition to Regulate Marijuana are encouraged to visit the State House that day and join us as we encourage legislators to pass S. 54. Here are the details: WHAT: Cannabis…