Governor

Vermont Senate Hopes to Vote on Tax-and-Regulate Marijuana Bill Soon

Vermont Senate leaders say they hope to quickly pass a bill that would create a tax and regulation market for retail marijuana.

Under this plan, the state would oversee the production and sale of marijuana at retail outlets across the state. Vermont Public Radio reports the regulatory system would be similar to the current sales system for alcohol.

Senate Judiciary Chairman Dick Sears, a Democratic senator who will be a lead sponsor of the bill, says he wants the full Vermont Senate to vote on this legislation in the next few weeks.

In its final report, released in December, the Governor's Marijuana Advisory Commission recommended a state tax rate of 26 percent on the sale of pot. Sears contends this rate is too high.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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