The Vermont House is expected to give final approval to a bill that would remove criminal penalties for possession of up to an ounce of marijuana.
The bill was given preliminary approval in the House on Friday, and comes up for final House action today. Instead of a criminal penalty, those caught with up to an ounce of pot would face a civil fine like a traffic ticket of up to $300. It also seeks to reduce the chances that anyone caught with up to 2 ounces will have a permanent criminal record.
Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Richard Sears says he thinks the bill will get similar support in the Senate.
