Marijuana legalization advocates have their sights set on Vermont.
The state already has legal medical marijuana, but advocates think complete legalization might not be far away. At least one state senator, David Zuckerman, is working on language for a bill to legalize recreational use and impose state taxes on commercial sales.
An upcoming state-commissioned study by the RAND Corporation will project how much tax revenue legalization could generate. Zuckerman predicts legalization could produce $30-50 million for his state.
According to a poll from local news station WCAX, the majority of both Vermont voters and residents in general back legalization.
"Creating a legal market for marijuana would result in businesses being able to make money, hire people, create jobs, increase economic activity in Vermont, and we see it being a win for Vermont businesses," Matt Simon, the New England political director for the Marijuana Policy Project, told NPR.
His organization has a field director working in the state, working to move legislation forward. "For the last six months she's been going around the state meeting with various individuals, opinion leaders , organizations, just to reach out, hear what their thoughts are, to see who's supportive, who's not, and if people aren't supportive, what their questions and concerns are — just trying to advance the dialogue," Simon said.
A representative of Sam VT, an anti-marijuana group, told the Daily Caller they're concerned about the movement: "As a grass roots organization we are committed to keeping our youth, our roadways, and public safe. Whenever a state looks at changing its culture by legalizing a drug, we need to think about the societal costs. VT will hopefully have a spirited discussion in 2015 that we hope will bring science, research and thoughtful discourse to a complicated topic."
Lawmakers aren't considered likely to make legalization a priority. They'll also be watching how things progress in Colorado and Washington, which both legalized several years ago. Colorado is currently being sued by neighboring Nebraska and Oklahoma, who complain its weed is crossing the border and tying up their police resources.
News Moderator: Shandar @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Red Alert Politics - An online publication by young conservatives, for young conservatives
Author: Maria Santos
Contact: Contact Us - Red Alert Politics
Website: The push for marijuana legalization moves to Vermont - Red Alert Politics
The state already has legal medical marijuana, but advocates think complete legalization might not be far away. At least one state senator, David Zuckerman, is working on language for a bill to legalize recreational use and impose state taxes on commercial sales.
An upcoming state-commissioned study by the RAND Corporation will project how much tax revenue legalization could generate. Zuckerman predicts legalization could produce $30-50 million for his state.
According to a poll from local news station WCAX, the majority of both Vermont voters and residents in general back legalization.
"Creating a legal market for marijuana would result in businesses being able to make money, hire people, create jobs, increase economic activity in Vermont, and we see it being a win for Vermont businesses," Matt Simon, the New England political director for the Marijuana Policy Project, told NPR.
His organization has a field director working in the state, working to move legislation forward. "For the last six months she's been going around the state meeting with various individuals, opinion leaders , organizations, just to reach out, hear what their thoughts are, to see who's supportive, who's not, and if people aren't supportive, what their questions and concerns are — just trying to advance the dialogue," Simon said.
A representative of Sam VT, an anti-marijuana group, told the Daily Caller they're concerned about the movement: "As a grass roots organization we are committed to keeping our youth, our roadways, and public safe. Whenever a state looks at changing its culture by legalizing a drug, we need to think about the societal costs. VT will hopefully have a spirited discussion in 2015 that we hope will bring science, research and thoughtful discourse to a complicated topic."
Lawmakers aren't considered likely to make legalization a priority. They'll also be watching how things progress in Colorado and Washington, which both legalized several years ago. Colorado is currently being sued by neighboring Nebraska and Oklahoma, who complain its weed is crossing the border and tying up their police resources.
News Moderator: Shandar @ 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: Red Alert Politics - An online publication by young conservatives, for young conservatives
Author: Maria Santos
Contact: Contact Us - Red Alert Politics
Website: The push for marijuana legalization moves to Vermont - Red Alert Politics
