Now known as one of the most progressive cannabis locations in the U.S, Vermont was one of the first U.S states to ban the use of marijuana over a century ago in 1915.
With over 90 years of prohibition to follow, Vermont switched track and became one of the first U.S states to legalise the use of medical marijuana in 2004 following state legislature with the decriminalisation of cannabis to follow in 2013.
However, despite their seemingly progressive approach to cannabis legality, the state has yet to move towards the booming commercialised market offered up by states like California and Nevada.
Let’s take a closer look at the cannabis laws in Vermont.
Vermont Cannabis Law
In 2018, Vermont became the first U.S state to legalise the use of marijuana through legislation as opposed to a ballot measure. The new legislation allows for the recreational consumption, possession and home cultivation of cannabis in the state.
However, despite the passing of both possession and cultivation laws, legislation for the commercial sale and taxation of recreational marijuana remains frustratingly unavailable for the people of Vermont.
Despite Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders pledge to federally legalise cannabis should he have been successful in his quest to become the Democratic nominee for President in 2020 (he was not), Vermont continues to miss out on the potential financial windfall that legalised cannabis would inevitably bring to the state.
Still, the momentum for recreational sales continues to gather pace in Vermont, and local state officials remain confident a bill to establish an adult market for marijuana sales will still advance in 2020, despite the ongoing global pandemic. Support for the bill has bicameral backing with both sides still working to agree on the final wording of the bill to advance to the governor.
For medical patients, the state offers just five licensed dispensaries with locations in Burlington, Brandon and Montpellier.
