Gubernatorial Candidate Peter Shumlin to Discuss Marijuana Policy Reform at University of Vermont
BURLINGTON, VERMONT — Next Tuesday, Aug. 10, the University of Vermont will be the setting for a discussion on current marijuana laws in Vermont and efforts to decriminalize the substance in the Vermont legislature. Speakers will include Vermont Senate President Pro Tempore and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Pete Shumlin, as well as former Vermont State Representative Daryl Pillsbury. The event will be sponsored by Marijuana Resolve, a Vermont non-profit focused on marijuana policy reform issues.
Discussion of marijuana decriminalization efforts in Vermont WHAT:
Gubernatorial candidate Pete Shumlin and former State Rep. Daryl Pillsbury WHO:
University of Vermont, Ira Allen Lecture Hall, 42 University Place, Burlington, VT 05405 WHERE:
Tuesday, August 10, 7 to 9 p.m. WHEN:
Legislation that would have made possession of up to an ounce of marijuana a civil, rather than criminal violation, punishable by a $100 fine without the possibility of jail time was pending throughout the latest legislative session and had the support of Vermont voters. A 2009 Mason-Dixon poll of voters in the state showed 63% supported the measure with just 27% opposed, and a nonbinding resolution on the Montpelier town meeting day ballot urging the legislature to pass the bill got over 72% of the vote. Nonetheless, the bill never received a hearing.
If elected, Shumlin has pledged he will work to pass such a measure, which has the support of at least one of Vermont’s State’s Attorneys, Windsor County’s Robert Sand. "Police officers could respond, but they could respond roadside and issue a ticket without the need to arrest, process, run a criminal history, prepare a docket for state’s attorney review," Sand told the Rutland Herald last month. "That would be a significant savings in law enforcement time, which would allow police officers to then move on to what I would suggest are more pressing matters, like patrolling for drunk drivers or responding to crimes against persons."
info@marijuanaresolve.org. Tuesday’s event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Vidda Crochetta, Marijuana Resolve’s State Coordinator, at (802) 579-1377 or email
