Vermont Lawmakers Overturn Gov.'s Veto And Approve Measure To Set Up Safe Drug-Consumption Sites In Most Populous City

Vermont is now the third state in the nation to green-light safe consumption sites where those using prohibited drugs are allowed to consume in a medically supervised environment.

The lawmakers approved a safe consumption site (SCS) pilot on Monday, despite strong opposition from Gov. Phil Scott (R).

The governor earlier vetoed H.72, which sought to both legalize and fund a facility based in the city of Burlington as a safe consumption site with $1.1 million from settlements with pharmaceutical companies, reported VTDigger. However, a General Assembly vote was in favor of the policy change.

Initially, the legislators were one vote short of a two-thirds margin required to allow SCS or overdose prevention centers without the governor's approval. That said, Sen. Richard Westman (R) reconsidered his decision to uphold the veto and changed his mind, reported Filter's Kastalia Medrano.

Following a vote by House members to overturn the veto, Senate members followed suit with 19 of the required 20 votes that would have the same outcome. Westman then proposed a second vote in which he voted to override the governor's veto on the bill, bringing the total to 20 votes in the upper chamber.

"I wasn't paying as close attention as I should," Westman said. "I embarrassed myself. It's the first time in 40 years I've ever had to make a motion like that."

New York City is the first in the nation to open two overdose prevention centers (OPC) in 2021.

The Rhode Island General Assembly passed legislation the same year authorizing a two-year harm reduction center pilot program.

In 2023 Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) signed two companion health bills containing allocations to create a psychedelics task force toward state legalization and to establish safe drug consumption sites.

As such, these harm reduction services will play an important role in helping to curb the drug overdose crisis plaguing the United States.

See also: No Life-Saving Drug Consumption Sites For California As Gov. Newsom Vetoes Bill, What Now?

The many benefits of cannabis will be one of the hot topics at the 19th Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference, which returns to Chicago this Oct. 8-9. Get your tickets now before prices go up by following this link.