Pot Decriminalization Bill Approved In State Senate

MONTPELIER, VERMONT — It’s on to the Vermont House now for a bill that would relax penalties on Vermonters caught with small amounts of marijuana.

The Vermont Senate gave final approval to the bill Thursday after defeating an amendment that would have given prosecutors the decision-making power over whether minor cases should be sent to court diversion.

ith up to an ounce of marijuana. Opponents said the bill sends the wrong message to young people, while supporters said it would match state law with the existing practice of prosecutors.

New Hampshire Subcommittee Approves Pot Decriminalization Bill

CONCORD, NEW HAMPSHIRE — A House subcommittee yesterday approved a bill to reduce the consequences of possessing small amounts of marijuana. The Criminal Justice and Public Safety subcommittee voted 3-1 to reduce to a violation, punishable by a $200 fine, possession of less than one-quarter ounce of marijuana. It is not clear when the full committee will vote on the bill.

Current law makes possession of marijuana a misdemeanor, which carries a fine and criminal record upon conviction. A violation would not mean a record, Rep. David Welch, R-Kingston, said.

“Young folks who aren’t always making intelligent choices could screw up their chances at a Pell Grant for college later on,” under current law, he said.

While we prefer outright re-legalization of the herb, it will take incremental steps to get the public to go along. Decrim at least removes the threat of arrest and all the ancillary harms from arrest for responsible adult cannabis consumers.