In an overwhelming vote of 90 to 54, lawmakers in Vermont this week approved a legal market bill for marijuana.
Following many hours of debate, the approved bill would tax and regulate a legal marijuana market where sales will be charged a 20% tax. Some of the revenue is intended to be used for after school and summer learning programs.
The bill additionally bans flavored cannabis vapes and sets a cap on the potency of the cannabis to 30% THC. It also creates a cannabis control board to oversee and regulate the sales of marijuana and members would be appointed by Gov. Phil Scott.
Lawmakers axed the local options tax for communities that host cannabis retailers.
Not all are thrilled with the bill. Rep. Anne Donahue said the bill should do more to address health aspects of marijuana and its effect on young people.
“It’s not about some radical extreme health risk, the problem is the minimization of the actual risk that’s going on. We know that it’s not nothing. We have psychosis induced by marijuana and so forth,” said Donahue.
Lawmakers will make a few amendments on Thursday and then vote on the bill again. It will then be sent to a conference committee where the House and Senate will hash out a final version and in several weeks the measure may make it to Governor Scott’s desk.