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Vermont: Medical Cannabis Improvement Bill Becomes Law |
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Vermont Gov. Jim Douglas (R) let a medical cannabis improvement bill become law without his signature. The new law took effect on July 1, 2007. Vermont's existing law is the most restrictive of the medical cannabis laws in 12 states, because only patients suffering from cancer, HIV/AIDS, or multiple sclerosis have been able to qualify to use medical cannabis. Under the new law, however, patients suffering from nausea, wasting, chronic pain, or seizures will be permitted to use medical cannabis.
The new Vermont law will also increase the number of plants patients and caregivers are allowed to grow. Currently, patients in Vermont can grow only three plants; the new law allows patients to grow nine plants.
Additionally, the new law reduces the annual application fee for patients from $100 to $50. And it will also allow doctors in New York, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire to recommend medical cannabis for their Vermont patients.
In sum, Vermont's medical cannabis law will now be in line with the medical cannabis laws in Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, and Washington.
The Vermont House and Senate passed the bill by simple voice votes, and the bill didn't produce controversial columns in Vermont newspapers or impassioned speeches by state legislators. In fact, when MPP (the Marijuana Policy Project), tried to generate news coverage, several reporters told them they wouldn't be writing stories because, in their judgment, the success of the legislation wasn't even newsworthy!
MPP regarded this as good "news."
Associated Press:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/vermont/articles/2007/06/01/
expansion_of_medical_marijuana_statute_becomes_law/ |
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 10 July 2007 )
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