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Read. Follow. Verify.Vermont makes purchasing regulated drugs from anyone under 21 a felony punishable by up to five years in prison
Last action · April 9, 2025: Read 1st time & referred to Committee on JudiciarySponsor: Samuel Douglass
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What This Bill Would Do
Vermont establishes a new criminal offense prohibiting anyone from knowingly purchasing a from an individual under 21 years of age, effective July 1, 2025. Violators face mandatory imprisonment ranging from one to five years in addition to any other penalties provided by law.
Creates a distinct criminal liability tier for buyers interacting with underage sellers, establishing mandatory prison terms of 1 to 5 years specifically for purchasing from individuals under 21.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Individuals who purchase regulated drugs
Buyers face new criminal liability and mandatory prison sentences of one to five years when purchasing from individuals under 21.
Persons under 21 years of age
Individuals under 21 participating in drug transactions are involved in a newly criminalized buyer-seller dynamic established by the state.
Key Facts
- Adds a new section (18 V.S.A. § 4237a) prohibiting any person from knowingly and unlawfully purchasing a regulated drug from someone under 21 years of age.
- Imposes a prison sentence of not less than one year and not more than five years for violators, in addition to any other applicable penalties.
- Takes effect on July 1, 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the penalty for purchasing a regulated drug from a person under 21 in Vermont?
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News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
1 action- Apr 9, 2025SenateIntroducedRead 1st time & referred to Committee on Judiciary
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
legislature.vermont.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance65How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy50Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz25Current news / social attention level
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