Vermont Gov. Phil Scott says he has decided to sign H. 511, the marijuana legalization bill, between Thursday afternoon and Monday’s deadline.
But the signing will not take place in a public ceremony.
Scott said he “isn’t shying away from it,” nor will be allow the bill become law without his signature.
He added that he recognizes the measure is controversial and he wants to be respectful of other views.
The bill arrived on the governor’s desk from the Legislature earlier this week. It is being reviewed for technical errors by the governor’s legal counsel.
Scott told NBC5’s Stewart Ledbetter he feels signing the bill into law in private is more appropriate.
The measure will allow adults 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana, and grow up to two mature plants at home, starting July 1.
The bill does not allow for retail or private sales of marijuana, nor does it collect any tax revenue.
H. 511 also creates a new crime of furnishing marijuana to a minor.
With Scott’s signature, Vermont will become the first U.S. state to legalize recreational use of marijuana through legislative process.
