2008 session ends; progress made on marijuana policy reform
Last update: June 5, 2008
The 2008 legislative session has ended. Although the legislature did not enact a law reducing marijuana penalties, significant progress was made. On February 13, the Vermont Senate passed a "decrim" bill on a bipartisan 22-7 vote. The bill, S.238, would have removed the possibility of jail for first- and second-time offenders caught with an ounce or less of marijuana. It also would have required that prosecutors offer them "court diversion," which allows them to completely clear their record if they complete some drug education classes and community service.
Unfortunately, the bill stalled in the House Judiciary Committee. However, the legislature did pass a provision to create a commission to comprehensively study Vermont's drug laws. MPP is working with elected officials and activists in Vermont to ensure that they receive credible information supporting reform to the state's marijuana laws.
In the meantime, you can help by e-mailing your state legislators and urging them to support sensible reforms to Vermont's marijuana laws. We have several prewritten letters available for you to use.
|
Maximum Jail Time for First Arrest
for Small Amounts of Marijuana |
| Nebraska |
None |
| Ohio |
None |
| Maine |
None |
| Mississippi |
None |
| North Carolina |
30 days
(must be suspended
for under 1/2 oz.) |
| New York |
None |
| VERMONT |
SIX MONTHS |
Gov. Douglas backs down from anti-marijuana policy reform stance
The legislative discussion on reducing marijuana penalties followed a very public disagreement between Gov. Jim Douglas (R) and Windsor County State's Attorney Robert Sand on the appropriate sanctions for marijuana offenses.
After Sand decided to send a 61-year-old woman to court diversion rather than prosecuting her for possessing and cultivating marijuana, Gov. Douglas ordered state law enforcement organizations, such as the Vermont State Police and Fish and Wildlife game wardens, to report all major marijuana arrests in Windsor County to the attorney general's office or to the U.S. district attorney. However, on December 11, 2007, after significant public backlash, Gov. Douglas dropped his order. Since then, he's even suggested that he is open to reducing marijuana penalties.
You can read more about the discussion on marijuana policy in Vermont here.
Stay connected
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New medical marijuana now in effect
On July 1, 2007, Vermont's new medical marijuana law took effect. This is excellent news for many seriously ill residents across Vermont. The new law allows seriously ill patients suffering from conditions that cause nausea, wasting, chronic pain, or seizures to apply for the program. It also increases the number of plants patients and caregivers are allowed to grow to two mature plants and seven immature plants.
There have been some changes made to the application as well. So if you are currently registered in the program, be sure to use the new application when it is time to renew your card. Please click here for more information on the new law and to download the new application forms. There are now separate applications for the patient and the physician. Both sets must be complete to be approved for the program.
Financial assistance for registration fee
Additionally, the new law reduces the nonrefundable annual application fee from $100 to $50. Although the registry fee was reduced, it is still more than some patients can afford. Patients who make below 150% of the poverty line or less, or have other circumstances that require assistance, can apply for MPP to cover their registry ID fees.
If you have any further questions about the new law, you can contact Zane Hurst by e-mailing Zane@mpp.org.
