Vermont Bill to Regulate, Tax Cannabis Sales Passes Final House Committee

MONTPELIER, Vermont — On Monday, Vermont’s House Appropriations Committee voted in favor (6-5) of a bill that would legalize, regulate, and tax cannabis sales for adults 21 and older. S. 54 previously passed the House Government Operations Committee in a unanimous vote, the House Ways and Means Committee in an 8-3 vote, and the Senate in a 23-5 vote.

Members of the Appropriations Committee reduced the proposed five-member control board to three full-time commissioners (one chair and two members), as a cost-saving measure. The full amendment and changes can be seen on the Vermont General Assembly site.

The bill is now expected to proceed to the House floor for a vote, most likely later this week.

Laws regulating and taxing cannabis for adult use have been enacted in 10 states. Vermont and Washington, D.C. are the only two U.S. jurisdictions where cannabis is legal but not regulated for adult use.

A new poll conducted by Public Policy Polling and commissioned by the Marijuana Policy Project found that an overwhelming 76% of Vermont residents support allowing adults 21 and over to purchase cannabis from regulated, tax-paying small businesses. The complete cannabis poll results are available here.