Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Fails

Print More

Backers of marijuana decriminalization have failed in their effort to bring the measure to the full Vermont House for a vote.

The measure was held up in the House Judiciary Committee, with House Speaker Shap Smith opposed to it.

On Tuesday, Republican Rep. Oliver Olsen, of Jamaica, called for a vote in the House to pull the bill out of committee and bring it to the floor for debate. That motion failed on a vote of 119 to 21.

The bill called for someone caught with an ounce or less of marijuana to be punishable by a civil fine of $150, with no criminal record.

Even some backers voted against Olsen’s motion, saying that pulling the bill from committee would violate legislative process.

Comments are closed.