Associated Press

June 1st, 2007

MONTPELIER, Vt. --Vermont's medical marijuana law -- which lets people with life-threatening conditions use the illegal drug without fear of prosecution -- now covers people with chronic, debilitating conditions.

On Thursday, a bill making that change became law after Gov. Jim Douglas balked at signing it. Under the state Constitution, any bill approved by the Legislature and sent to the governor becomes law if he doesn't sign it within five days.

Douglas also balked at signing the original version of the law passed in 2004.

"The governor has compassion for people who are suffering from debilitating diseases, but he can't in good conscience sanction a violation of federal law," said spokesman Jason Gibbs.

In addition to broadening the field of people covered, the law increases the number of plants they can grow at home and cuts the annual registration fee from $100 to $50.

Vermont is one of 12 states that protect very sick people from prosecution for using marijuana. But its law remains relatively conservative compared with others, according to Dan Bernath, assistant communications director for the Marijuana Policy Project.