States in the Northeast have been undergoing marijuana reform recently with ME and MA legalizing the plant for recreational use last November and states like Rhode Island in talks to legalize it through legislature.

The state Senate on Thursday passed an amended version of a House bill eliminating criminal penalties for possession of three-quarters of an ounce or less.

Vermont's Legislature on Wednesday became the first in the country to vote to legalize the recreational use of marijuana.

The legislation, which passed the House by a 79-66 vote, would allow adults to possess and use small amounts of the drug beginning next year. The bill was identical to one passed last week by the Senate that also sets up a commission to study the best way to regulate marijuana.

The bill now heads to Republican Gov. Phil Scott, whose spokeswoman said he's not philosophically opposed to legalizing marijuana but must be sure the bill answers certain public safety and health questions.

"He'll review the bill when received to determine if those questions are addressed," spokeswoman Rebecca Kelley said after the vote.

Adults in Vermont are one step closer toward being able to consume marijuana without worrying about going to jail after the House passed a measure this week aimed at legalizing recreational cannabis. Although only by a slim margin, the bill was approved with a 71 to 74 vote Tuesday.

The Vermont House has given final approval to its version of a recreational marijuana legalization bill.

The measure passed by a vote of 75 to 71, following hours of debate.

The bill would make it legal for adults age 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana and grow two mature plants at home.

The limited measure does not create any new regulatory system for legally selling and taxing pot, nor does it fund new public safety or youth education efforts. 

Critics, including Rep. George Till -- a Jericho Democrat and a physician -- said that spells trouble.

State lawmakers begin their final scheduled week of the session next week, and among the high-profile bills expected to attract plenty of attention is the long-delayed House bill to legalize marijuana.

Bill H. 170 has been stuck in the Human Services Committee for weeks, referred there suddenly after the first floor vote suddenly appeared at risk of defeat.

Late Friday, the committee voted to dislodge H. 170, sending it on to the House floor in a 5-4-2 vote.

Committee Chairwoman Ann Pugh, a South Burlington Democrat, said her panel added language to address some concerns about youth access to marijuana -- explicitly prohibiting pot near schools, and all public consumption.

Despite harsh words from members of the Trump administration, cannabis reform initiatives continue to pass across the United States reports Technical 420

After West Virginia became the 29th state to legalize medical cannabis and after Texas unanimous passing of industrial hemp bill, Vermont’s Senate voted to legalize cannabis.

The vote came after Democratic Senator Jeanette White submitted an amendment to a criminal justice bill. The amendment legalizes the possession of up to an ounce of cannabis and allows for home cultivation.

While the tension between state and federal laws has created a difficult situation for cannabis users, there’s another factor that is complicating the changing attitude towards weed: hospitals. Though it isn’t legally mandated, many hospitals won’t allow people who use weed to be placed on organ transplant waiting lists.

Vermont's House Judiciary Committee voted 8-3 to approve a bill that would make personal possession and cultivation of small amounts of marijuana legal for adults. The bill, H. 170, would eliminate the state's civil penalty for possessing one ounce or less of marijuana. The bill would also eliminate the penalty for possessing up to two mature cannabis plants and up to four immature plants. Penalties for possessing over an ounce of marijuana would also be reduced.

Most state legislatures reconvene in early January, and by February they’re in full swing, moving some bills forward and killing others in committee. This year 27 state legislatures are considering bills pertaining to cannabis in some form. (Well, okay: 26. Mississippi had two medical marijuana bills, but they’re already dead.) Some states are pushing full adult-use legalization. Others are pulling back on medical legalization measures adopted by voters last November. We’ll keep tracking them as they live and die. Most state legislatures adjourn by early June. Stay tuned.