Back
4 MIN READ
Despite harsh words from members of the Trump administration, cannabis reform initiatives continue to pass across the United States.
After West Virginia became the 29th state to legalize medical cannabis and after Texas unanimous passing of industrial hemp bill, Vermont’s Senate voted to legalize cannabis.
The vote came after Democratic Senator Jeanette White submitted an amendment to a criminal justice bill. The amendment legalizes the possession of up to an ounce of cannabis and allows for home cultivation.
The legislation faced push back from other Senators because it looks like the bill the Senate passed last year before the House rejected it. Many expect a similar fate for the legislation again this year.
Senator Bobby Starr called it was a waste of time since the House would not pass it. Senator Dick Mazza said he wants to see a better system in place for testing for roadside impairment before legalizing cannabis.
Vermont’s Governor Will Not Support the Legislation
Mazza’s stance is in-line with Vermont’s Governor Phil Scott who said he would not support legalization unless new roadside testing was available.
Despite the pushback, Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Dick Sears said they had the right to act, regardless of the House’s plans.
Sears plans to introduce a new amendment expected to face pushback from House Judiciary Committee Chair Maxine Grad. Sear’s amendment would create a study committee to look at ways for how Vermont should tax and regulate cannabis.
At Odds with Comments from the Trump Administration
The passing of this legislation comes at an interesting time as it follows a week of very conflicting comments from the Trump Administration.
Commenting on the legislation passed by the Vermont Senate, Senator Dick McCormack said Vermont has a serious drug problem but said the problem is not marijuana. Earlier in the week, Department of Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly said that cannabis is “not a factor” in the United States’ current fight against narcotics.
Shortly after making those comments, Kelly completely reversed his opinion in a dramatic fashion calling marijuana a potentially dangerous gateway drug that frequently leads to the use of harder drugs
Opioids and Painkillers are the Real Issue
Painkillers are the real issue facing the United States today. During the past 15 years, America has seen a tremendous growth in both the sales of prescription opiates and the number of people who die each year from abusing them.
Kelly highlighted the danger of these substances while on NBC’s The Press, saying that meth, heroin and cocaine played a role in the domestic drug crisis that killed more than 52,000 people in 2015.
No one has ever died from smoking cannabis but every year more than half a million people die from alcohol and tobacco. The only reason why cannabis is illegal is because of economics. If it was legal, it would cost pharmaceutical and alcohol companies billions of dollars every year.
Become a Mushroomstocks Premium Member to learn more!
Important Investor Disclosures
Disclosure. Compensated Affiliate. This report was authored by and is property of Mushroomstocks. All information and data relied upon in drafting this report is publicly available. The author believes and considers its sources to be reliable, but does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information contained in this report. Any and all information, data, analyses and opinions are provided for informational purposes only and is not intended, in any manner, as investment advice. Any projections or other information generated by Mushroomstocks regarding the likelihood of various investment outcomes are hypothetical in nature, do not reflect actual investment results, and are not guarantees of future results. None of the material contained in this report is intended as a solution or offer to sell or purchase a specific stock or any other investment. This report is not directed to, or intended for distribution or use by, any person or entity that is a citizen, resident or located in any municipality, state, country or other jurisdiction where the distribution, publication, availability, or use of this report is contrary to any governing law or regulation. The securities discussed in this report may not be eligible for purchase and/or sale in certain jurisdictions or by particular individuals. It is important that you check any and all governing laws and/or regulations that may be applicable in your jurisdiction. Investing in securities of issuers organized outside of the United States, including ADRs, entail certain risks. The securities of non-United States issuers may not be registered with, nor be subject to the reporting requirements of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. Please contact a Financial Advisor for professional advice regarding any and all securities investments. This report is intended for informational purposes only. Mushroomstocks’s officers, directors, employees, affiliates, or subsidiaries may have positions in securities covered by Mushroomstocks. Mushroomstocks may receive compensation from the company and/or has a position in the securities mentioned in this report
All good -- no spamming here.
Comments