Vermont just made cannabis history, becoming the first state to legalize social cannabis via a legislative act after Gov. Phil Scott signed bill H.511 allowing all adults over 21 to socially consume cannabis without the fear of penalty or incarceration.

In addition to decriminalizing cannabis for social use to adults over the age of 21, Gov. Scott included a few additional guidelines in the legislation:

• Stronger criminal and civil penalties for selling to or enabling the consumption of cannabis by someone under 21
• Criminal penalties for using cannabis in a motor vehicle with a child present
• Criminal penalties for using or growing cannabis at facilities serving children
• Clear legal liability of the consequences of making cannabis available to minors
• Strict penalties for possession of cannabis by those convicted of felony sale of cannabis, selling a regulated drug to minors, or on school grounds
• Stronger penalties and fines for open containers in a motor vehicle
• Cannabis in excess of the permitted limit remains contraband and subject to seizure and forfeiture

Gov. Scott said in a press release he signed the legislative with ‘”mixed feelings,'” and while the legislative bill decriminalizes cannabis use for adults 21 and older; it does not establish a system to regulate and tax cannabis sales, however.

In the wake of the end of cannabis prohibition in Vermont, Scott wants to ensure the Marijuana Advisory Commission address the need to develop education, prevention and highway safety strategies. Only then will he consider establishing a system to regulate and tax cannabis sales.

“I look forward to the Marijuana Advisory Commission addressing the need to develop comprehensive education, prevention and highway safety strategies. To be very direct: There must be comprehensive and convincing plans completed in these areas before I will begin to consider the wisdom of implementing a commercial ‘tax and regulate’ system for an adult marijuana market. It is important for the General Assembly to know that – until we have a workable plan to address each of these concerns – I will veto any additional effort along these lines, which manages to reach my desk,” Scott said.