Vermont will become the 11th state in the nation to allow sales of marijuana for recreational use after Gov. Phil Scott (R) said this week he would not veto a measure passed by the state legislature.

Scott had vetoed an earlier marijuana legalization bill that did not include specific funding directives he had sought.

But in a letter to legislators this week, Scott said he would allow the latest bill to become law without his signature. He said the measure included a sufficient amount of funding to education and prevention campaigns designed to keep children off marijuana, and the implementation of a roadside saliva test aimed at curbing driving under the influence.


Scott said more work remained. He called for further legislation that would open the legal market to more minority- and women-owned businesses.

Vermont will now begin crafting the regulatory structures that will lead to legal pot sales. The legislation creates a cannabis control board that will establish the rules, along with a significant 14 percent excise tax on all marijuana products.

The first marijuana shops are likely to open by 2022, after the new rules are finalized.