Is CBD Oil Legal in Vermont?

Is CBD Oil Legal in Vermont?

Yes, CBD (cannabidiol) oil is legal in Vermont. Production of hemp and hemp-derived CBD oil is legal under Title 6, Chapter 34 of Vermont Statutes. The CBD oil extracted from hemp must contain no more than 0.3% THC as state and federal hemp laws require. Vermont's Medical Cannabis Registry also permits marijuana-derived CBD oil for patients diagnosed with debilitating medical conditions. Additionally, recreational marijuana is legal in Vermont, allowing adults aged 21 or older to use marijuana-derived CBD oil.

What are Vermont CBD Laws in 2024?

Vermont allows all CBD products regardless of their source. In 2013, Vermont Governor signed Senate Bill 157, legalizing hemp production for registered farmers. According to the law, hemp and its derivatives are agricultural products having a THC potency of 0.3% or less. In 2018, hemp became legal in the U.S. following the enactment of the Hemp Farming Act, which also places the 0.3% THC legal threshold on all hemp products. The Act removed legal hemp products, including hemp-derived CBD, from the DEA controlled substances list.

In 2019, Vermont lawmakers passed Senate Bill 58 to create the state hemp program in alignment with the federal hemp law. Approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the state hemp program created regulations to ensure that hemp CBD products did not contain above 0.3% THC. In 2021, the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (AAFM) began issuing licenses to businesses and individuals involved in cultivating and processing hemp for CBD. However, the AAFM stopped issuing hemp licenses in January 2023.

The first marijuana CBD law (Senate Bill 76) passed in 2004 legalized high-THC CBD for only eligible patients in Vermont. In 2011, patients registered in the medical marijuana program began purchasing medical CBD products after the passage of Senate Bill 17, which allowed up to four dispensaries. Approved dispensaries started delivering marijuana-derived CBD to patients in 2014 following the enactment of Senate Bill 247. In 2018, Vermont lawmakers approved Senate Bill 54 to permit marijuana-based CBD for non-patients aged 21 or older. The bill created the Vermont Cannabis Control Board (CCB) to regulate the sales and production of medical and recreational marijuana-based CBD products.

What are Vermont CBD Possession Limits?

Vermont hemp laws do not stipulate any possession limit for hemp-derived CBD products, provided the THC concentration does not exceed 0.3%. However, registered patients and caregivers can possess up to 2 ounces of medical marijuana CBD at a time. For recreational marijuana consumers, 18 V.S.A. § 4230(a) limits the possession of marijuana-derived CBD to 1 ounce. Possessing more than 1 ounce without a medical marijuana card is punishable by a jail sentence and fine.

Can Doctors Prescribe CBD Oil in Vermont?

Vermont residents do not need doctors' prescriptions for hemp-derived CBD oil. Also, the recreational marijuana law in Vermont does not mandate medical prescriptions for adults above 21 years purchasing marijuana-based CBD oil. However, to buy or possess more marijuana-derived CBD oil under the medical marijuana law, patients must be evaluated by licensed physicians in Vermont. Such physicians must be naturopathic physicians, PAs (physician assistants), or nurse practitioners.

How Old Do You Have to Be to Buy CBD in Vermont?

To buy marijuana-based CBD in Vermont, residents must be 21 years or older. Registered patients who are younger than 18 years can buy marijuana products with the assistance of designated caregivers. Meanwhile, hemp-derived CBD containing no more than 0.3% THC is available to all Vermont residents regardless of age.

What are the Licensing Requirements for CBD in Vermont?

The USDA Domestic Hemp Production Program provides licenses for commercial and personal hemp growers in Vermont. Hemp processors must also apply for hemp licenses from the federal agency.

• Hemp growers must request and obtain FBI criminal history reports within 60 days before registration
• Key participants in hemp production must also request their criminal history reports
• Criminal history reports are not required for hemp processors
• Before registering, all applicants must create accounts on the USDA Hemp e-Management Platform (HeMP)
• The USDA provides a guide for using the online application system
• Applicants can contact the USDA via email for more questions regarding Vermont hemp licenses

Licensed hemp processors who make consumable hemp or hemp-infused products must comply with the AAFM labeling rules. According to the rules, each hemp product must be labeled with the following information:

• The producer's business name and mailing address
• A statement that the product is hemp-derived
• The product's weight, quantity, and measure
• The cannabinoids present in the product
• A statement that the consumable hemp product contains THC
• A process lot number

Where to Buy CBD in Vermont

Vermont residents can buy hemp-derived CBD products at local stores or from online retailers. Purchasing hemp-derived CBD out of state is legal, provided the THC concentration is not more than 0.3%. Vermont's licensed retail establishments sell marijuana-derived CBD products to adults aged 21 or older, while medical CBD products are available at state-licensed medical marijuana dispensaries.

What is CBD Oil?

CBD oil contains CBD, a naturally occurring cannabinoid found in marijuana and hemp plants, as its active ingredient. It is made by extracting CBD from the cannabis or hemp plant and diluting it with a carrier oil, such as coconut or hemp seed oil. Generally, CBD oil made from hemp plants contains zero THC and does not produce 'high' sensations when consumed. However, CBD oil derived from marijuana may produce psychoactive effects due to the high THC potency of marijuana plants.

CBD has several potential health benefits due to its anti-inflammatory, analgesic (pain-relieving), and anti-anxiety properties. Physicians may recommend CBD products for conditions like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and chronic pain. CBD products are available in different forms, including edibles, gummies, beverages, topicals, tablets, and vape cartridges. Under federal law, CBD derived from hemp containing less than 0.3% THC is legal, while marijuana-derived CBD remains a controlled substance. In Vermont, hemp and marijuana-based CBD is legal.

What Does CBD Do?

CBD interacts with the body's endocannabinoid system (ECS) like every other cannabinoid. However, CBD's unique interaction with the ECS offers several health benefits, such as pain relief, seizure, stress, anxiety, and depression. The effects of CBD can vary among individuals depending on dosage, method of consumption, and the consumer's body system. Medical CBD products can help to treat or manage the following health conditions:

• Multiple sclerosis
• Glaucoma
• Crohn's disease
• Parkinson's disease
• Post-traumatic stress disorder
• Cachexia
• Severe nausea
• Drug addiction
• Eczema and acne

Does CBD Show Up on Vermont Drug Test?

No, CBD does not show up on a drug test in Vermont. Standard drug tests in Vermont aim to detect the presence of THC, the psychoactive compound found in cannabis. Therefore, consuming hemp-derived CBD products with only trace amounts of THC (less than 0.3%) is unlikely to make the consumer test positive for a drug test. However, marijuana-derived CBD products often contain significant levels of THC, which is detectable by regular drug tests.