Prop 205 would allow adults 21 and older to possess limited amounts of marijuana; establish a system in which marijuana is regulated similarly to alcohol; and enact a 15 percent tax on retail marijuana sales, from which a majority of the revenue would be directed to Arizona schools and education programs. The Arizona Joint Legislative Budget Committee estimated the initiative would generate more than $123 million in annual tax revenue and license fees by 2020, including more than $55 million per year for K-12 education and full-day kindergarten programs.

The Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol made the announcement at a press conference on Thursday.

On the bright side, the House agreed on an amendment to create a study commission. Unlike previous studies, this commission would be tasked with making concrete recommendations for how Vermont should regulate marijuana. It would be required to do so by December, in time for new legislation to be introduced and considered in January 2017 when the next session begins.

In other positive news, the House overwhelmingly voted to make several improvements to the medical marijuana law. These include the addition of chronic pain as a qualifying condition (currently “severe pain,” a much higher standard), as well as glaucoma. The House also voted to reduce the required doctor-patient relationship period from six months to three months and made a few other improvements. Both the study commission and the medical marijuana amendments will require final approval by the Senate, which is expected this week.

Thank you to all who have contacted legislators. Election season is just around the corner, and we will be publishing a detailed voter guide so Vermonters can make informed choices at the polls.