Vermont may next year become the first state to legalize marijuana through legislation passed by a state legislature and signed by the governor. It may happen as soon as January.

The eight states and District of Columbia that have legalized marijuana so far have all done so through voters-approved ballot measures.

Tom Angell has the full story at Marijuana Moment about the legalization legislation that has already been approved in the Vermont Senate, that incudes changes suggested by Governor Phil Scott when he vetoed another legalization bill this year, and that House Speaker Mitzi Johnson said on Friday she expects the House “likely will pass in early January.”

Reprinted with permission from the Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity.