Now that Gov. Scott has signed this bill allowing personal possession and cultivation, effective on July 1, it’s time for the legislature to begin moving forward with plans to regulate and tax marijuana production and sale for adults 21 and older.
Some legislators who voted no on H. 511 have already said that they support regulating and taxing marijuana. Others are reconsidering their positions now that it’s clear that marijuana will soon become legal. A bill on this issue, H. 490, is still active in the House after being carried over from last year.
Please email your representatives to follow up on their votes on H. 511. We’ve made the process quick and easy: Simply click on the link and type in your email and address. Then, pre-written letters will load based on how your lawmakers voted. For “yes” votes, "thank you" letters will appear. Regardless of how they voted, the letters will ask them to support regulating and taxing marijuana. Feel free to edit the letter to your liking, or craft an entirely new (respectful) message if you prefer.
Talking Points – Ending Prohibition and Regulating Marijuana for Adult Use
— Marijuana prohibition has failed. The Rand Corporation’s report for Vermont found that around 80,000 Vermonters use marijuana on a monthly basis, and that they spend approximately $175 million each year buying marijuana from the illicit market. This is money that could instead be going to regulated Vermont businesses that will not sell to underage consumers or introduce their customers to dangerous drugs such as heroin. [Source: Considering Marijuana Legalization: Insights for Vermont and Other Jurisdictions, Rand Corporation, 2015]
– Fifty-five percent of Vermonters support making marijuana legal for adults, while only 32% are opposed. [Source: Castleton Polling Institute, February 2016)
– Marijuana prohibition has been just as ineffective, inefficient, and problematic as alcohol prohibition was in the 1920s and 1930s. Most Americans agree it is time to replace this failed policy with a more sensible approach. [Gallup poll in October 2015 found 58% support for making marijuana legal for adults.]
– Marijuana is objectively less harmful than alcohol. It is less toxic, less addictive, and less harmful to the body, and it does not contribute to violent and reckless behavior. Adults should not be punished for choosing to use the safer substance.
– By regulating marijuana like alcohol, we can take sales out of the hands of illicit drug dealers and put them behind the counters of state-licensed businesses that are creating legitimate jobs and paying taxes.
Volunteer
Fill out our get involved form to let us know how else you might be willing to help replace our state’s destructive and wasteful marijuana policies with sensible regulation.
Ask Your Organization to Endorse
Community organizations, businesses, unions, civil rights groups, and faith-based groups all have an interest in taking marijuana out of the illicit market and regulating it. Why not raise the issue with any group you belong to? Email us at [email protected] to let us know if you would like our help working on an endorsement.