Marijuana Policy Project

Six Upper Valley lawmakers are among several co-sponsors of a bill in the Vermont House that would decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana.

Under the bill, which has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee, possession of an ounce or less of marijuana would result in a $100 fine, but no criminal record, for adults.

Minors would have to enroll in a drug awareness and community service program or face a $300 fine and loss of a driver's license for 90 days.

The Senate passed a similar bill last session, but with then-House Speaker Gaye Symington girding for a run for governor, that chamber opted not to take up the bill, which faced a possible veto from Republican Gov. Jim Douglas, who has been cool to any drug decriminalization laws.

Among the 20 or so House sponsors of the bill are Upper Valley Reps. Alison Clarkson, D-Woodstock; Jim Masland, D-Thetford; Donna Sweaney, D-Windsor; Chip Conquest, D-Newbury; Susan Davis, P-Washington; and Patsy French, D-Randolph.

Windsor County State's Attorney Robert Sand has been a vocal advocate for marijuana decriminalization. He said recently he has long been concerned about the amount of time police are spending on pot cases, as opposed to more serious crimes.

“I strongly support creating a more streamlined and efficient mechanism for police to respond to low-end marijuana cases,” said Sand.

But Sand, a Democrat from Woodstock, also wants to see something passed, and is concerned that other members of law enforcement would opposed marijuana decriminalization.

Sand, therefore, says a “reasonable incremental step” would be to still allow police to write a criminal ticket for marijuana possession, but without having to make an arrest at the scene.

Keeping minor possession cases as a criminal matter, even with little to no penalty, would make it easier for police to obtain search warrants in cases where it might be merited, Sand said.

“Ultimately, I think it should be completely removed from the criminal justice system and dealt with as a public health issue. The way to get there is incremental steps,” he said. “I'm trying to orchestrate the art of the possible.”