Find out about the legal status of medical and recreational marijuana in the state of Vermont. Is marijuana illegal? Better safe than sorry!
MEDICAL MARIJUANA IN VERMONT
The state of Vermont has had a medical cannabis program since 2004, allowing patients with certain conditions to obtain cannabis from a physician licensed to prescribe the herb. The first dispensaries opened within the state much later, during 2012. Patients experiencing conditions including HIV/AIDS, cancer, Crohn’s disease, glaucoma, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), seizures, chronic pain, and nausea are eligible to partake in the medical cannabis program.
Medical cannabis patients are able to legally possess up to 54g of cannabis at one time, and are able to cultivate up to 9 plants at a time, with only 2 mature specimens.
RECREATIONAL CANNABIS IN VERMONT
As of July 1, 2018, adult citizens of Vermont (21 years and older) will be able to possess up to 28g of cannabis at a time. Citizens may possess up to 4 immature plants and 2 mature plants at one time.
Vermont is unique as it is the first American state to pass recreational cannabis via an act of state legislature, rather than a ballot initiative approved by citizen vote.
If a person (who is not a medical marijuana patient) is caught in possession of an excess of 28g of cannabis, the act is treated as a crime. Amounts between 28-54g are deemed as a misdemeanor and are punishable with up to a 6 month jail sentence and a fine of up to $500. If a person is caught with this amount more than once, then a jail sentence of up to 2 years and a $2,000 fine may be issued.
The possession of more than 54g is looked upon as a felony offense. Amounts between 54-450g could land a person in jail for up to 3 years and is punishable with a massive $10,000 fine.
Amounts between 450-4500g could result in up to 5 years in jail and a $100,000 fine.
Vermont has a huge public backing of cannabis, with a total of 57% of voters stating that they support allowing adults to posses and grow limited amounts of the herb.
The Marijuana Policy Project hopes to continue its lobbying efforts, with the goal of having cannabis regulated in a similar way to how alcohol currently is.
