“These changes reflect the reality that lawmakers in adult-use states are growing more comfortable with legalization day by day.”
Republican Gov. Phil Scott has signed legislation (S. 278) into law increasing the amount of cannabis that retailers may sell to a customer in a single transaction and doubling how much marijuana an adult may legally possess in public.
Under the new law, which took effect upon passage, those age 21 or older may purchase up to two ounces of botanical cannabis from a state-licensed retailer. They may also publicly possess up to two ounces of marijuana and/or up to 10 grams of hashish. Those thresholds are double the state’s previous limits. (State law already permits adults to possess greater amounts in private if the cannabis comes from their own personal harvest.)
Vermont is the third state this year to significantly increase adult-use marijuana possession limits. Massachusetts and Illinois also doubled their possession limits.
“These changes reflect the reality that lawmakers in adult-use states are growing more comfortable with legalization day by day,” NORML’s Deputy Director Paul Armentano said. “As their comfort level grows, these policies continue to evolve in ways that results in expanded freedoms for consumers.”
Other language in the law provides regulations for certain cannabis establishments to hold a limited number of public events per year and eases restrictions prohibiting tenants from possessing certain cannabis products. Under the new law, landlords may prohibit tenants from possessing and consuming smoked cannabis products on their premises, but not non-smoked marijuana products.
Vermont lawmakers legalized adult-use marijuana possession in 2018. Lawmakers approved separate legislation regulating retail sales in 2020.
This brief was republished from NORML. You can read the original version here.
