Decriminalzation of Marijuana in Vermont may be on the Horizon

In order to win a 5 way political race, its always good to have an ace up your sleeve. This is true for Vermont Senator Peter Shumlin, who is proposing the decriminalization of Marijuana as a small part of his race toward the governor's office in Vermont.

While the senator has been in support of Vermont Medical Marijuana as the law has progressed in Vermont over the recent years, his support of decriminalization stems from the argument that the state is spending too much manpower and resources to arrest and prosecute individuals in possession of small amounts of marijuana. The proposed decriminalization would remove all criminal penalties for the possession of small amounts of marijuana. Vermont Medical Marijuana patients are protected under law to possess up to 2 ounces of medical marijuana at a given time.

In the state capital of Vermont, Montpelier, voters passed a local initiative to decriminalize marijuana by 72% in March of 2010. In that same month, a bill to expand the current Medical Marijuana Vermont law to include a system of not-for-profit dispensaries passed several Senate committees. Vermont Medical Marijuana law was very slow to form, and because there have been few--if any--negative instances involving Medical Marijuana, the progression toward a healthy and efficient Medical Marijuana industry in Vermont should continue.