Montpelier
“As I’ve said before, I’m not philosophically opposed to eliminating the prohibition on recreational use by adults,” Scott said in a statement. It accompanied an executive order creating a commission to be co-chaired by Tom Little, a Republican who formerly represented Shelburne, Vt., in the House, and former Vermont Democratic Party Chairman Jake Perkinson.
Scott said he believes “we have an obligation to learn from the experiences of other states, and have comprehensive education and highway safety protocols in place before moving to a fully taxed and regulated recreational-use marketplace. We must ensure that any approach we take prioritizes public health and safety, particularly the health implications for our children, and the need to ensure safety on our roadways.”
Reporting to the commission will be three subcommittees: on highway safety issues that legalization could raise; public health including impacts on youth; and how to tax and regulate marijuana.
Legalization bills have passed the Vermont Senate five times in the past two years. One passed the House as well but drew a veto from Scott. A final push during a special session in June stalled in the House, but legislation will be up for action in that chamber when lawmakers return in January.
Scott said in June after the latest effort fizzled that he was likely to appoint a commission to continue the conversation on legalization, and he appears to be feeling some pressure from the fact that nearby states are moving forward.
Voters in Massachusetts and Maine passed referendum measures in November to legalize pot, and retail outlets selling it are expected to be open in those states by next summer.
“We cannot ignore the fact that states around us have already legalized,” the governor said in his statement Thursday. “This commission is part of a more thoughtful, deliberative process to deal with an issue that impacts all of us.”
Laura Subin, director of the pro-legalization Vermont Coalition to Regulate Marijuana, said Thursday she hoped Scott’s appointment of a commission — and his issuance of a long list of study assignments for it and its subcommittees — would not result in further delay of legalization.