By Guy Page
A Senate bill sponsored by 12 senators would decriminalize ‘personal use’ sale of methamphetimines, depressants, LSD, ecstasy, and narcotics other than fentanyl, heroin and cocaine.
S.300, introduced into the Senate Thursday, January 18, and sent to the Judiciary Committee, is framed as a ‘health-based’ response to Vermont’s illegal drug epidemic. It would:
- Create the new Community Care, Health, and Safety Fund to provide grants for community-based harm-reduction services. Safe injection sites are listed among those services.
- Authorize monetary-equivalent incentives for substance abusers to participate in a needs assessment; and
- Create the new Drug Use Health and Safety Advisory Board to determine the benchmark personal use supply, prevent and reduce criminalization of drug use, and hand out the grants in the new state fund.
But perhaps the most eye-raising section of the bill “eliminates criminal penalties for possessing and dispensing a personal use supply of drugs” and instead “requires that a person found to be possessing or dispensing an amount of a personal-use quantity of a regulated drug be provided information and access to available services.” Dealers of fentanyl, cocaine and heroin would remain subject to arrest.
The bill is sponsored by Senators Vyhovsky (lead sponsor), Bray, Clarkson, Gulick, Hashim, MacDonald, McCormack, Perchlik, Ram Hinsdale, Watson, White, and Wrenner. All are Democrats and/or Progressives. In the bill, the sponsors cite grisly statistics: “Drug overdoses reportedly killed 264 Vermonters in 2022 and drug toxicity deaths have increased by over 500 percent since 2010. Nonfatal opioid overdose emergency department visits have also been increasing. From 2018 to 2021, 1,631 individuals visited an emergency department for an opioid overdose.”
S.300 also alleges the criminal justice system has failed to reduce drug use.
“The stigma of a criminal arrest or conviction often results in detrimental physical, psychological, and economic impacts on the lives of those arrested. Involvement in the criminal legal system can interfere with employment, housing, educational opportunities, and professional licensing and lead to burdensome debt from fines… Iindividuals convicted of a misdemeanor have their annual earnings reduced by an average of 16 percent.
“Studies have also repeatedly found that periods of incarceration substantially increase the risk of fatal overdose. Within the first two weeks of release from incarceration, an individual is substantially more likely to die from a fatal overdose than a person who was not detained.”
Drug laws also are racist, the bill claims:
“Enforcement of the drug laws in Vermont, as well as nationally, falls disproportionately on persons of color despite similar rates in usage and sale of drugs. Prior to Vermont’s legalization of cannabis in 2018, Black persons were six times more likely to be arrested for cannabis possession than White persons.”
Funding would come from 40 percent of the cannabis excise tax, part of the Opioid Abatement Special Fund, and “an amount equal to the total annual reduction in expenditures projected to result from the elimination of criminal penalties for individuals in possession of personal use quantities of criminal substances.” Current law directs 30% of cannabis excise taxes to substance abuse treatment, not to exceed $10 million.
S.300 partially resembles early drafts of H.72, the ‘safe injection site’ bill passed by the House last week. Early drafts also featured measures towards hard drug decriminalization.
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Categories: Drugs and Crime, Legislation
no comment
I have a comment, but my Dear Sainted Mother, wouldn’t like it…
“Involvement in the criminal legal system can interfere with employment, housing, educational opportunities, and professional licensing and lead to burdensome debt from fines…”
Professional licensing? What about OSHA rules and regulations? I guess the Senators don’t mind if their beautician, attorney, dentist, or insurance agent is high on meth or cocaine? Pay no mind to the drug addict operating heavy machinery next your loved one. I guess they can do away with drug testing for employment and shutter those pesky testing labs. The patients are running the asylum.
You people are absolutely out of your freaking minds if you ever think something as idiotic as this will work. It’s as stupid as letting 12 year old children go to “safe injection sites”.
‘Lord of the Flies.’
The reason the current system has not reduced the flow of drugs is because the drug dealers are released after arrest over and over again allowing them to continue dealing drugs without consequences. We need stronger bail laws which will allow judges to hold criminals in jail. Under current bail law the judges hands are tied so the criminals are release on conditions, which is a joke, or to a responsible adult which is also a joke. It was also mentioned that people of color are 6 times more likely to be arrested. This is because nationally and locally people of color control the illegal distribution of fentanyl, heroin and cocaine. These are the individuals the police arrest over and over again.
The reason the current system has not reduced the flow of drugs is because current government rules incentivize agencies and non profit entities (friends a family slush funds) to increase demand for drugs. Otherwise why would our drug problem be worse now than before these expensive programs began?
There is nothing more devastating to a society than a group of well-meaning but otherwise foolish, incompetent, and unaccountable elected officials telling us what to do, while ‘struggling to think well of themselves’.
Fredrick Douglass, many years ago now, addressed a similar misguided oppression.
“I have had but one answer from the beginning. Do nothing with us! Your doing with us has already played the mischief with us. Do nothing with us! If the apples will not remain on the tree of their own strength, if they are wormeaten at the core, if they are early ripe and disposed to fall, let them fall! I am not for tying or fastening them on the tree in any way, except by nature’s plan, and if they will not stay there, let them fall. And if the [man] cannot stand on his own legs, let him fall also. All I ask is, give him a chance to stand on his own legs! Let him alone!”
What’s next ? Will an AHS nurse be “safely” injecting the addict with their choice of poison after certifying that it is okay to use ? How much will this idiotic boondoggle cost taxpayers ? I kinda like a shot of Knob Creek every now and then. Should my fellow taxpayers be forced to subsidise my taste for expensive Bourbon ? Why not ?
If Bourbon is on the list, I’ll take a free shot with you. Perfect explanation Mr. Finnie.
Cloward-Piven Strategy
“The enemy is already here”. – Dan Bongino
James,
You are absolutely correct. And here, as per the above article, are some of the enemy:
“The bill is sponsored by Senators Vyhovsky (lead sponsor), Bray, Clarkson, Gulick, Hashim, MacDonald, McCormack, Perchlik, Ram Hinsdale, Watson, White, and Wrenner. All are Democrats and/or Progressives. ”
Remember the days when there were “Wanted Posters” with names and pictures, for the apprehension of evil doers? Alas, we can’t bring them in draped over a saddle on a slow moving horse, but we can’t vote them out…
Should be “WE CAN VOTE THEM OUT”
Thank you for naming the legislators who sponsored this idiocy. We need to keep these names on everyones mind for the coming election.
You’ve got to give them credit. When the commies decide to nuke society they do it with style. Just add ‘racist’ to something and they’ll get it to pass. Clever little monkeys, they.
To Alex: It’s right out of Alinsky’s playbook.
How about decriminalize speeding, jaywalking, prostitution, DUI, heck toss out all the laws while they are at it…………..
Vermont has a serious drug and alcohol problem, taking more drugs and alcohol will surely solve all of lifes problems.
Who would be so callous to their friends to suggest that, yes take more drugs, your life will be better for it.
now i must comment/// every person that holds a government elected office must be drug tested//// it is quite clear we have another problem to deal with///
Their evidence that drug laws enforcement is “racist” is from 2017 and earlier. So they may need to update their data. Also lots of non-Chittenden sponsors. Do their voters know about this? Maybe they should.
operating heavy machinery//// i have spent over forty years in the construction operations/// show me ten stories of drug involvement in any construction accident/// the men or women will not put with this crap///
Ouch, guess that would make Hunter ( meth head ) Biden ineligible for public office?
An amazingly, astoundingly stupid idea gaining traction in Vermont.
“You will own nothing and be happy”
I suppose to some keeping us drugged is the same as keeping us happy.
Brian, that’s what the phones, games and the narcissistic tiktok/FB/Instagram world also accomplishes. Those things along with drugs all alter the brain in the exact same way.
Respectfully,
Pam Baker
Actually, the WEF has officially stated that they will keep the uselessness eaters with no employment opportunities, as everyone will be unemployed due to AI, entertained with drugs and video games. Go out and look at the Metavers diagrams. There is a huge segment of the Metavers being built out for gaming.
Where do we get these legislators, is she completely insane !!
Why do they want drug use promoted, what’s the agenda, are they just hoping people will overdose ????…………………………………….. Wake up people.
Where do we get these legislators??? A majority of us vote for them, time and time again. When you want to know who to blame, look at the person driving down the road, pumping gas, shopping for groceries or at the post office and realize that a MAJORITY of Vermont residents (I hesitate to refer to them as Vermonters nowadays)
are liberal idiots.
Give them dirty needles to help them towards their ultimate goal. Then freeze dry them and use them to keep the homeless warm.
Stupid stupid stupid
Pure sociopaths. I’m not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV, but I’ve been exposed to the psychopathy of the elected officials over the last nearly 25 years in Vermont to aptly be able to diagnosis their collective mental diseases. In layman’s terms – they are Wack-a-Doodles….
MODIFY THIS BILL!!
Decriminalize = Bad boy gangstaz be gun fightin’ in da streets.
Legalize/Control = Big boy pharma be rack rack rackin’ it in.
The only solution to harm caused by people’s poor choices, is forcing the path of least resistance to the desired outcome of reduced harm.
*Decrease usage
1. Reduce ENABLEMENT of bad choices. (no taxpayer/welfare/housed/funded drug addicts, unless enrolled in an inpatient get well program). If a parent identifies a child with illegal (dangerous) substance abuse issues, they should be required to enroll them in an impatient program until they turn 18, or get better.
*Decrease drug dealers
2. INCREASE prison sentences/bail for unauthorized distribution of identified PROBLEM drugs, while allowing DOCTORS to FREELY PRESCRIBE and monitor PROBLEM drugs/users. Stop giving the drug cartels and gangsters unlimited funding. Make unauthorized sellers of substances that result in death the same as a premeditated murder charge. If addicts could just go to the doctors to get cheap/clean drugs, drug dealers no longer have a reason to be in Vermont!
*Prevent starting in the first place
3. Stop giving children drugs (meth,etc) in school to make them pay attention! Find drug-free alternatives to all learning disabilities/depression. Just about everyone I have met who is addicted to drugs, was given drugs in school at a young age!
*bonus – Make it illegal to prescribe medications that have “homicide” listed in the side-effects label. Make anyone running for office disqualified if they are taking medications that have “homicide” listed in the side effects label.
That’s a good start, other than stopping the general wealth destruction caused by government which gives rise to all these problems in the first place.
Yes to all your points VermontVermonter but… I believe in a punitive judicial redress and all prisoners should have to work at hard labor. And if they refuse well then, they get more time added to their sentence. When people have labored all day they are too tired to engage in misdeeds like drugs, sex and other illegal activities that currently run rampant in our jail/prison systems. And think how much we would save in highway/roadway cleanup, road maintenance…and whatever else chain gangs used to do. Just my opine.
Respectfully,
Pam Baker
Manual labor to treat drug addiction? And you work in healthcare lol
how about public hangings/// we will start with the crooks that pushed the covid kill shots/// that means you have to start with high level government crooks/// next big pharma bosses/// next news media reporters/// paid off with ads/// to do this you must invest in a rope company/// any questions///
Shut down the marxist/globalist government in Montpelier. We the People need a Class Action Lawsuit from Concerned Citizens of Vermont. We need Constitutional Lawyers who believe in Freedom, the Constitution, Rule of Law, who have Courage to move this forward TODAY. Let’s turn this mess around now! Anyone can see that the marxists/globalists in Montpelier are literally going against the Constitution of the State of Vermont, the police force, communities, businesses, brainwashing children, and have been for years. Time to Stop this madness is way past due!
I firmly agree. Though this free press bravely publishes real current affairs and therefore enlightens the public at large, these Communist traitors to the Constitution in Montpelier SCOFF at most of us for being little more than keyboard warriors in their quest to divide, omit, break the laws, and conquer.
I fully realize that most VDC’ers do not like to hear me say this & I’ll receive no “thumbs up” for articulating this reality, but we desperately need to unite not just in words, not just in conscience, but also in ACTION. Personally, any skill I might mildly possess at this point certainly doesn’t include any organizational skills, but I would be voracious to participate & assist in any such noble effort!
May God – and us – save Vermont!!!
Totally agree “saltlightfaith”. That is exactly what needs to happen. But that takes money. And lawyers get upwards of$300 bucks/ hour. We are talking millions of dollars because they won’t go down without an expensive fight.
When I win the lottery…
Respectfully,
Pam Baker
Folks, we have two schools of thought here. Either our elected representatives have gone completely rogue and do not represent the people who elected them, or they collectively believe, or have been lead to believe, they are doing what is right and just. Either way, they need to be removed (i.e. – voted out). We Vermonters have a huge problem. People have moved into our state who believe they can make socialism and communism work. Most Vermonters are live and let live. We go about our work and our lives, allowing people to think as they wish. Unfortunately, we have allowed these rotten apples to gain momentum, to populate our state and take over all sorts of positions of power. They don’t think like we do. They want to completely rule over all of us. Believe me when I say, they really don’t give a ….. what we think. They know best, for us. I’m not sure where this is going but if the true Vermonters don’t stand up soon and say, “enough, this has gone on long enough” and start turning things around we will lose forever our beloved, proud, green, and tough little state. It is either that or move elsewhere, but hey, we were here first, damn it.
Yes, Steve you are correct. Part of the problem is there is a large number of conservative/libertarian minded “live and let live” folks and they are far too disengaged and the middle of the road folks don’t pay enough attention and just “go along to get along”. Those folks don’t pay attention to their tax bill or what the schools are doing amongst many other things, and believe everything they might happen to see and hear on MSM. Also, pervasive among all groups is an apathy/complacency. They don’t want to do anything uncomfortable. So having those difficult or challenging conversations never happens.
It won’t be an issue until they are significantly put out and then it will likely be too late. That is usually how it goes. Otherwise those currently in power wouldn’t have gotten there. (Listen I was one of those folks. I was very busy as a homecare nurse for most of my career, working 10 or more hours a day and essentially running a homestead. I voted, usually leaning conservatively but always indolent of any party. And I’m not retired, I just work out of my home now. )
Not to mention that all media is biased. Including this one. Thankfully. But the average citizen is not discerning enough to grasp that concept.
None of this makes me “happy”, but it is human nature. It is the pattern of human civilization.
I recommend “Resistance to Tryanny” by Joseph P. Martino. And start carefully writing pieces for your local FPF. Just ask questions. Like, “is anyone else concerned about the proposed tax hike?” And maybe say that you heard the legislature is considering one health plan which effectively would increase our taxes from 9% to 20% which means X amount of dollars for the average Vermonter. Unfortunately, my town already knows how pissed off and conservative I am so I have lost the advantage of persuasion. I hope that helps. Keep the faith.
Respectfully,
Pam Baker
That was supposed to say “independent of any party” rather than “indolent of any party”.
One more thing Steve. The high need of liberals to “virtue” or “purity” signal either consciously or unconsciously and their cognitive disconnect from everyday gritty reality means they want to “help” never considering the consequences of their “help”. Just my humble opine.
Respectfully,
Pam Baker
Nice sentiment but I do believe that train has left the station…………….
in vermont ////call a cop or your county sheriff ask them to do there jobs/// all took an oath of office///you will be surprised that nothing will get done/// any questions///
run along sonny/// the same health care industrial complex just killed a million people with the covid kill shot /// some people need to look at the facts/// hard to do when your living is made in that industry/// move along honey//// any questions///
two posts are missing
Want to vote them out. Keep the names “Mark” gave us above. Memorize them and repeat them when talking with your neighbors or friends. Repeat and repeat.
We need to constantly remind folks of the rogue legistlators.
Oh boy!
Take a trip and never leave the farm!
correction/// three posts are missing///
Hmmm, where and why did they disappear ?
Speechless in Vermont! We are destroying Vermont with every piece of legislation.
Vermont will continue to become a target state for drug dealers, many more will die, this is all a downward spiral and our legislative people cannot even see beyond their meeting rooms. In the meantime they are increasing government and its hold on your wallets. No wonder we have such poverty in Vermont…
I had posts of mine disappear lately,Guy said it was not him so it is possible WordPress is censoring content that does not fit what they politically support and that needs looking into pronto if posts are vanishing. I was going to run the people behind wordpress but am ill so if someone else wants to dig and post here have at it. When I feel better I’ll run them.
That should not be happening, not to you, not to anyone.
I asked Mr. Page to take down a post I put up since I felt it was disrespectful to the person and I should follow the tenets I espouse as well as the requests of VDC. And because I don’t have the ability on WordPress to take down my comments (which is ridiculous but not Mr. Page’s fault) I asked him to do it and he felt the other respondent’s comments then made no sense to my very poor word choice. That is what the aforementioned “missing comments” refer to. Just me being impulsive and pissy. Usually, the little voice in the back of mind is on duty to reign me in, but I guess it missed this incident. So, my apologies to all those that saw it before it was taken down. Including the individual to whom I was addressing.
Always a good idea when writing a ” pissy ” note to write it but put off sending/mailing it until the next day, nine times out of ten the author will opt to not send it.
Speaking from experience……………