MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - A coalition supporting the legalization and taxation of marijuana in Vermont say its members expect legislation will be filed soon, but opposition is mustering as well.
The Vermont Coalition to Regulate Marijuana held a news conference Tuesday, a day before the start of a legislative session in which lawmakers are expected to consider whether Vermont should follow the lead of Colorado and Washington state in legalizing the drug. Supporters say that efforts to stamp out its use by making it illegal have failed and that the state could raise revenues by taxing the drug.
“Regulating marijuana will take sales out of the underground market and allow for it to be controlled like other products that are legal for adults,” said Matt Simon of the Marijuana Policy Project, a coalition member.