Title:
Burlington voters will decide ballot question on making marijuana legal in Vermont
Message:
Monday night, the Burlington City Council voted to approve an advisory referendum proposal for the Nov. 6 ballot. General election voters will have an opportunity to vote on the following simple question: “Shall the people of Burlington support the legalization, regulation, and taxation of all cannabis and hemp products?”
Although the council’s vote does not necessarily indicate its support for taxing and regulating marijuana, it does reflect an admirable willingness to engage in healthy, respectful dialogue about an idea that now enjoys majority support in several national polls. An independent poll conducted in February found that only 15% of Vermonters believe alcohol is safer than marijuana — a strong indicator that attitudes regarding marijuana use have changed in recent years.
As council member Max Tracy, who proposed the question, observed at a recent press conference, “This is an interesting moment … the social stigma is eroding.”
Burlington voters don’t have the power to change Vermont’s marijuana laws, but they can certainly send a clear message to legislators by voting “Yes” on this ballot question!
