Vermont Lawmakers Gauging Public Interest in Marijuana

The Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives says having a nonbinding vote on whether to legalize marijuana in the state is the best way to gauge public opinion on the issue. 

Democratic House Speaker Shap Smith tells Vermont Public Radio he's open to the nonbinding referendum option, allowing voters to voice their opinions in November on marijuana legalization.

A nonbinding referendum was last used in Vermont four decades ago on a plan to establish a state lottery.

The Senate passed a bill creating a regulatory structure for selling marijuana. Several House committees rejected the model, instead supporting efforts to legalize the possession and growth of small amounts of marijuana.

Senate Government Operations chairwoman Jeannette White says the vote wouldn't impact the Legislature more than the surveys already conducted.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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