Vermont’s legislature on Wednesday became the first in the United States to pass a bill legalizing recreational marijuana.
The legislation, H.511, allows those 21 and older to possess up to an ounce of cannabis and to cultivate two plants.
However, the measure passed by the majority Democratic legislature does not include provisions for business licenses and sales.
Republican Gov. Phil Scott said he will sign off on the legislation, according to Vermont Public Radio.
If the governor follows through, Vermont’s initial adult-use industry will function similarly to Washington DC’s, which allows possession and home cultivation but not sales.
Vermont Public Radio also reported that supporters of a movement to tax and regulate marijuana – essentially creating a full-fledged recreational market – consider H.511 the first step toward their goal and vow to push ahead.
Passage of the bill was significant because the lawmakers weren’t deterred by U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ recent revocation of key federal protections for states with recreational marijuana programs.
– Associated Press and Marijuana Business Daily
