On Wednesday, Vermont’s Governor said he would not give his stamp of approval to legalize recreational marijuana.

The reaction to Governor Phil Scott’s veto was mixed.

“I would’ve preferred that they have gone for full regulation and taxation of marijuana,” says Worcester resident, Ted Lamb.

“I’m not surprised. I had a feeling it was going to end up getting vetoed,” says Max Messex.

The bill would have created a commission to study how Vermont could tax and regulate recreational marijuana. Some say the veto was a missed opportunity to generate much needed revenue for the state.

“It’s right across the border, people are going to go over there and just make purchases and bring it back to Vermont, it’s going to happen, it already does happen,” says Messex.

But others agreed with the Governor that Vermont isn’t ready for legalization just yet.
 

“In Colorado they have had some issues with it, they need to find out more about what those issues are so we don’t have the same issues,” says Warren resident, Karen MacDonald.

MacDonald says like the Governor she has concerns about public safety along Vermont highways should recreational marijuana become legal.

“I think it’s great for medical, people who need it. I think it’s just fine, I just don’t want it loose.”

The Governor said the state needs more time to create a path to educate youth on the drug and measure impairment.

But some argue decriminalizing pot now rather than later is the way to go.

“I know people who have been swept by cops, getting arrested and all that and I think this would be a lot better if my friends and people we all know in our community weren’t getting taken away by the cops,” says Montpelier resident, Cobalt Tolbert.

House Democrats have the opportunity to override the Governor’s veto, but since the bill narrowly made it out of the house it looks unlikely to get the needed votes.