Vermont’s Prosecutors and Police Receive Training on Vermont’s Marijuana Law From Nationally-Recognized Expert

On September 28, 2018, the Governor’s Highway Safety Program (GHSP) and the Department of State’s Attorneys and Sheriffs held a training for Vermont’s law enforcement officers and prosecutors on Vermont’s new marijuana law.  The program was funded by a grant from the Governor’s Highway Safety Program.  The training was attended by 105 individuals, with representation of law enforcement officers from many departments and agencies, and all 14 State’s Attorneys’ Offices.

Attorney Chris Haslor presented the training.  A nationally-recognized expert in marijuana impaired driving, Mr. Haslor provides consulting to state and local governments on marijuana policy and potential legal and policy issues that come with legalization.  Mr. Halsor served as a prosecutor for 14 years in the state of Colorado, six of those years as a Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor.  He is the founder of Understanding Legal Marijuana, LLC., serves as an Adjunct Law Professor at University of Denver, and is a faculty member for the National Judicial College. 

In the wake of the legalization of marijuana in Vermont, our law enforcement officers and prosecutors will be facing various challenges in the field and in court.  Mr. Haslor dynamically took attendees through various aspect of Vermont’s marijuana laws.   The presentation was informative in many areas including search and seizure, criminal possession, cultivation, constitutional issues, enforcement and prosecution of drugged driving, open container, consumption, private marijuana clubs, dispensaries and gifting.

The cross training with law enforcement and prosecutors created an atmosphere of open dialogue and collaboration on how to best move forward with policing and prosecution of marijuana related crimes. 

The Governor’s Highway Safety Program funds two Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutors at the Vermont Department of State’s Attorneys and Sheriffs.  SAS Attorneys Heather Brochu and Stacy Graczyk serve as our TSRP’s.