MONTPELIER - A measure legalizing the use and possession of marijuana by those suffering from AIDS, cancer or multiple sclerosis jumped its final legislative hurdle Wednesday, paving the way for it to become law without the signature of Gov. James Douglas. Senators, voting 20-7 in favor of the heavily lobbied bill, made Vermont's Legislature only the second in the country - Hawaii's is the other - to legalize the use of medical marijuana. The bill was sent to the governor, who confirmed that he will not sign it, meaning it automatically becomes law in five days. Vermont will become the ninth state with such a law on the books. [continues 376 words]
MONTPELIER - A measure legalizing the use and possession of marijuana by people suffering from AIDS, cancer or multiple sclerosis crossed its final legislative hurdle Wednesday, paving the way for it to become law without the signature of Gov. James Douglas. Senators, voting 20-7 in favor of the heavily lobbied bill, made Vermont's Legislature only the second in the country - Hawaii is the other - to legalize the use of medical marijuana. The bill was sent to the governor, who confirmed that he would decline to sign it, meaning the measure automatically becomes law in five days. [continues 900 words]
MONTPELIER - Lawmakers on Friday gave themselves a raise, crafted a compromise farm bill and all but finished negotiations on next year's budget. But a slew of issues, big and small, are destined to keep them under the golden dome for much of next week. Legislative leaders and Douglas administration officials predicted that most of the contentious issues left on their plates will either be settled early in the week or scuttled all together. These include medical marijuana, workers' compensation reform and a measure designed to reduce the cost of prescription drugs. [continues 1009 words]
MONTPELIER - And on the 129th day, they are still here. Abandoning all hope of adjourning Vermont's 67th biennium by tonight, lawmakers are expected to be back at work in an attempt to get out of town by the middle of next week. "I think we can do it," said Sen. Susan Bartlett, D-Lamoille, who, as chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, wields great control over the only bill the Legislature is required to pass before adjournment: the $955 million general fund budget. "Right now, we're just waiting to see what else needs to be finished." [continues 649 words]