Thor Benson / Cannabis News Box Contributor

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott signed a bill crafted by the state’s legislature to legalize cannabis in the state on Monday, making it the first state to legalize in this manner.

“I personally believe that what adults do behind closed doors and on private property is their choice, so long as it does not negatively impact the health and safety of others, especially children,” Scott said in a statement.

As we’ve previously reported, this was a long time coming for Vermont cannabis advocates who have been nearing this moment for years. Now that the state has officially legalized, cannabis advocates can finally breathe a sigh of relief.

“Passage of [this bill] was anticipated even before the start of the legislative session, so while the public reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, it’s also been somewhat muted,” Daniel Giangreco, a board member of the Vermont Cannabis Association, told Cannabis News Box. “The citizen activists, who really deserve the credit for getting this legalization bill passed, still see a tax and regulate system as the direction Vermont needs to move in. The reality is that legalization won’t have a significant impact on public consumption, but it should help normalize use and reduce stigma, making a regulated market and retail sales more palatable to lawmakers.”

Though this is a major win for those who have been working hard to make it happen, it doesn’t look like advocates are going to take much time to rest. There are still some significant issues they want to address, so they’ll be getting to work on those now that the biggest hurdle has been surpassed.

“With legalization in place, the next logical step will be tax and regulate,” Giangreco said. “We need a craft-scale system that has a low barrier to entry and assures a degree of local ownership, making the market accessible and equitable for Vermont cultivators and value-added producers.”

Advocates in the state do not want to see a system that creates monopolies or makes it difficult for would-be small business owners to get involved. They also want to craft smart regulations that maintain safety, health and more. Quality standards, product testing and other issues will need to be addressed soon.

“Medical patients and caregivers continue to voice concerns regarding quality standards and product availability in the dispensaries, as well as the perception of a state-supported oligopoly in the medical industry,” Giangreco said. “Limited ownership is stifling innovation and pricing out many Vermonters who need access to quality, affordable medical cannabis.”