Vermont lawmakers say yes to cannabis changes

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Marijuana expungement and higher possession limits are coming to the state

Vermont takes another step towards cannabis reform as the state’s House of Representatives gave the green light to approve a bill that would simplify the process of automatic expungement of past low-level marijuana possession convictions. In a preliminary approval, those who carry convictions for possession offenses of up to two ounces of marijuana would get their records cleaned automatically. The process includes a mail notification once a person’s record gets cleared.

Additionally, this measure also wants to decriminalize some marijuana-related activities, such as possession of between one to two ounces of cannabis, as well as cultivation for personal use of up to four cannabis plants. This offense would be punished with a $100 fine for a first offense, $200 for the second one and $500 for any others. In a separate provision under the same bill, it is stated that, as of January 2021, those with the aforementioned convictions are not required to disclose them regardless of whether they have received their notice of expungement.

The measure was passed by the House by a 113-10 vote, and now the final vote is expected to take place this week. Once the House gives the green light to the bill, it will go straight to the Senate, so a final approval vote can be held before it goes to Governor’s Phil Scott’s desk. In 2018, the governor signed a bill that decriminalized minor marijuana possession and cultivation activities; however, later in 2019, he said he was opposed to expanding the legislation for running commercial regulated activities in the state. Several lawmakers are seeking to expand the legislation’s reach by starting to issue licenses for retail sales later this year, but they might need to override Scott’s veto in order to enact the new law. At the same time, others believe that the governor has softened his opposition to this matter.