Congrats to Vermont!
LatestCongratulations to Vermont, a state where homes are powered by positive vibes and everyone is born with a pair of Birkenstocks on their feet, for becoming the first state to pass a bill legalizing recreational weed. Republican Gov. Phil Scott, who vetoed a previous version of the bill last May, has said he will sign this draft. If signed, the law would go into effect July 1.
Vermont wouldn’t be the first state to legalize weed—eight states and Washington DC have already done so through ballot measures—but according to the AP, it’s the first state to successfully push such a bill through the legislature.
The law would allow anyone over the age of 21 to smoke or possess up to an ounce of weed, and also says its cool to grow up to two mature cannabis plants and four immature cannabis plants. Unlike other state laws governing recreational marijuana, however, Vermont’s law won’t regulate production. Buying or selling weed is still illegal.
The bill also serves as a huge middle finger to dedicated Civil War reenactor Jeff Sessions, who last week rescinded Obama-era protections for businesses and organizations that run pot programs in accordance to state regulations.
Sessions is likely to continue to see a backlash, as according to Gallup, a record high of two-thirds of Americans approve of legalizing recreational weed, and more states, including Rhode Island, New Jersey, Michigan, and New Hampshire are pushing for legalization this year.