Vermont Gov. James Douglas and Windsor County State Attorney Robert Sand have agreed to cooperate with each other in prosecuting marijuana-possession cases after a dispute centered on Sand's support for decriminalization of the drug, the Barre Times-Argus reported Dec. 12.

Douglas had been bypassing Sand's office in prosecuting marijuana-possession cases because he objected to the local prosecutor's reputed policy of sending all such cases to a court diversion program.

"My office received an e-mail from Mr.  Sand today apologizing for the confusion over his policy or lack of policy and stating that he approaches each case on its own merit," Douglas said. "That's all I can ask of a prosecutor."

"There is not a blanket policy, there never has been a blanket policy and there never will be a blanket policy," said Sand, who previously had explained his stance to reporters by stating that "all first-time marijuana offenders are offered diversion if they have no prior record and I am satisfied the marijuana was only for personal use."

For the past month, Douglas had been telling the Vermont State Police and other Windsor County law-enforcement agencies to send all felony marijuana cases to the state attorney general rather than to Sand's office. Sand apparently angered Douglas by ordering a suspect in a marijuana grow operation to a diversion program.

The battle of wills with the governor has generated much support for Sand and his stance on marijuana prosecutions, including from his fellow attorneys. Kim Cheney, a former Vermont attorney general and state's attorney, said, "I really respect and admire Bobby Sand for taking this issue to the public. It's long overdue and it seems like most elected officials don't have the courage to do it."

Sand said he would propose to Douglas that drug courts be established in every county in Vermont, and called for the state to have more authority over drug cases and evaluate resource allocation and possible alternatives to current drug policy. Douglas said he is open to discussion but restated his opposition to legalizing drugs.