Drugs

Burlington-Area Sex Trafficker Sentenced to 22 Years in Prison

by Derek Brouwer on September 21, 2020 at 5:35PM

He faced at least 15 years and up to life in prison. U.S. District Court Judge William K. Sessions III sentenced Folks to a prison term of 22 years and six months, followed by 10 years of supervision, the U.S. Attorney's Office said in a press release.

Vermont Lawmakers Strike a Deal on Retail Pot Bill

by Colin Flanders on September 16, 2020 at 10:23AM

Scott has said that he would consider any legislation that hits his desk as long as it addresses his concerns about road safety, youth prevention and local control. While the bill does not fully address all of his demands — he, for example, wanted a roadside warrantless saliva test, which the bill does not allow — both Sears and Gannon said they believed the legislature has done enough to appease the Republican governor.

Vermont House Votes to Approve Marijuana Expungements by Wide Margin

by Colin Flanders on September 11, 2020 at 6:45PM

The bill would automatically clear the criminal records of anyone who was convicted of possessing up to two ounces of marijuana, four mature plants and eight immature plants prior to January 2021. Starting then, people who fall into that category would then be allowed to deny having ever had a cannabis conviction on their record when filling out job, license or civil rights applications — even if they have not yet received confirmation from the state.

Lawmakers Nearing Agreement on Retail Cannabis Sales Bill

by Colin Flanders on September 4, 2020 at 9:03PM

After another brief huddle, the House negotiating team agreed to the deal with several caveats, flagging the taxing and land-use concerns. The two sides plan to reconvene next week to hash out those remaining sticking points.

Lawmakers Try to Hash Out Competing Versions of Cannabis Bill

by Kevin McCallum on August 19, 2020 at 6:47PM

At one point, the House proposal to allow police to stop drivers for not wearing seatbelts seemed perilously close to scuttling the whole effort. Sears called the inclusion of the provision “disappointing” and a “huge stumbling block” that the Senate had long opposed.

Vermont House Approves Selling Weed — But Not Advertising It

by Colin Flanders on February 27, 2020 at 5:59PM

interest here," she said. Donahue's argument seemed to convince her colleagues, who unanimously passed the amendment during Thursday's floor debate.

Rep. Sarah Copeland Hanzas (D-Bradford) during a press conference on S.54 earlier this month

Vermont Cannabis Bill Heads Back to House Committee for Updates

by Colin Flanders on January 29, 2020 at 4:19PM

The full House held a procedural vote Wednesday afternoon to authorize moving the bill back to Gov Ops. Copeland Hanzas said her committee will essentially rewrite the bill to include the changes before sending it back to Ways and Means.

Burlington Will Take Part in Nationwide Opioid Lawsuit

by Courtney Lamdin on November 19, 2019 at 7:18PM

Earlier this month, Attorney General T.J. Donovan wrote a letter to the Vermont League of Cities & Towns, urging the advocacy group to encourage its member municipalities to join the negotiation class. Vermont has spent “precious, limited resources” on medical treatment, mental health care and emergency services for people addicted to opiates, Donovan wrote.