The Vermont House has given final approval to a bill that would remove criminal penalties for possession of up to an ounce of marijuana.
The bill passed Tuesday on a vote of 92-49 after being given preliminary approval on Friday. Instead of a criminal penalty, people caught with up to an ounce of pot would face a civil fine of up to $300. It also seeks to reduce the chances that anyone caught with up to 2 ounces would have a permanent criminal record, and defines a new crime of driving while smoking marijuana.
Possession on school property by someone 21 or older would still be a crime.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Richard Sears says he thinks the bill will get similar support in the Senate.
