Vermont Medical Marijuana Card

Is Medical Marijuana Legal In Vermont?

Yes, Vermont's S76, passed by the state's legislature in 2004, makes medical marijuana legal. The state's medical cannabis laws permit registered patients to possess 2 ounces of usable marijuana and grow up to nine marijuana plants at home. However, no more than two of the cultivated plants may be mature.

Vermont also has licensed dispensaries authorized to sell medical cannabis to registered patients. Patients can purchase medical marijuana in various forms, including seeds or clones for the home cultivation of cannabis. Note that out-of-state patients are not allowed to buy medical cannabis in Vermont.

How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Vermont in 2024

Qualifying Conditions for Medical Card in Vermont

Only registered Vermont patients with qualified debilitating conditions are permitted to get medical marijuana cards in Vermont in 2024. The approved conditions are:

• HIV or AIDS
• Cancer
• Crohn's disease
• Multiple Sclerosis
• Glaucoma
• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Parkinson's disease

Note that patients with PTSD require attestations that they are active therapy clients. The attestations can be provided via the Mental Health Care Provider form or by providing your therapist's contact information. Other conditions that may apply include severe nausea, wasting syndrome, seizures, or chronic pain.

Can I Apply For A Medical Marijuana Card In Vermont Online?

Yes, the Vermont Cannabis Control Board (BCC) accepts online applications for medical marijuana cards from qualifying medical marijuana patients and caregivers.

How Do I Register With The Vermont Medical Cannabis Program?

Registration with the Vermont Medical Cannabis Program can be done online or via mail by completing the appropriate application forms. However, before submitting an application, a qualifying patient is required to obtain a healthcare professional recommendation for medical cannabis. Contact the Vermont Cannabis Control Board (CCB) at (802)-828-1010 or by email for further inquiries on the state's Medical Cannabis Program.

Do I Need To Be A Vermont Resident To Get A Medical Marijuana Card?

Yes. Only Vermont residents with certain debilitating medical conditions can obtain medical marijuana cards in the state.

What Is The Cost Of A Vermont Medical Marijuana Card?

The State of Vermont charges a $50 non-refundable application fee for a medical marijuana ID card. This fee applies to each initial or renewal application. Checks and money orders are accepted forms of payment and must be made out to the Cannabis Control Board.

What Do You Need When Visiting A Medical Marijuana Dispensary In Vermont?

You must bring a Vermont medical marijuana card and a government-issued ID to a Vermont medical cannabis dispensary to be allowed to buy medical cannabis. A Vermont driver's license is an acceptable government-issued photo ID. Out-of-state patient medical marijuana cards are not accepted at licensed Vermont medical cannabis dispensaries.

Also, you are advised to bring cash when visiting a Vermont cannabis dispensary. Credit cards are not accepted, but some retailers accept debit cards via a process called "cashless ATM," where a debit is withdrawn, but the money goes to the retailer.

Who Can Prescribe Medical Marijuana In Vermont?

The state permits healthcare professionals to issue medical cannabis certification to qualified patients. A healthcare professional is an individual licensed to practice medicine in Vermont. This includes physicians, naturopathic physicians, osteopathic physicians, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners. The state also includes professionally licensed healthcare practitioners under substantially equivalent positions in Massachusetts, New York, and New Hampshire in its definition of healthcare professionals.

Can A Minor Get A Medical Marijuana Card In Vermont?

Yes, patients not yet aged 18 can obtain Vermont medical marijuana cards if they are able to provide proof of guardianship or power of attorney to the state medical cannabis program in their application. On the application, an adult must attest to being a legally competent adult and a parent or court-appointed guardian of the patient applicant and sign the application form.

Can You Get A Medical Marijuana Card At 18 In Vermont?

Yes, at 18, you can apply for a Vermont medical marijuana card without the consent of your parent or court-approved guardian if you meet the eligibility requirements to obtain a medical cannabis card in the state. Vermont considers patients aged 18 or older as adult patients.

How To Renew Your Vermont Medical Marijuana Card

Registered patients in Vermont can renew their medical marijuana cards electronically or by mail. Besides a few changes, the renewal application is similar to the initial application for a medical marijuana card. Note that renewal applicants must submit the patient application prior to the expiration of their registration and only require a Healthcare Professional Verification Form for every second renewal application. Also, only initial applicants are required to submit a digital photo. If your appearance has not changed significantly, a photo is not required for the renewal application. Renewing patients and caregivers who do not have online portal accounts should email the Vermont medical program to request an account.

Can You Grow Medical Marijuana In Vermont?

Yes, Vermont allows medical marijuana patients registered under the state’s medical cannabis program to cultivate 9 marijuana plants. However, no more than 2 of the cultivated plants may be mature.

Vermont: Benefits Of Having A Medical Marijuana Card In A Recreational Marijuana-Legal State

In Vermont, medical marijuana cardholders can purchase and consume cannabis even when they are under 21 years. On the other hand, a person must be at least 21 years old to consume marijuana for recreational purposes in the state. Also, with a medical marijuana card, registered medical cannabis patients in Vermont can possess up to 2 ounces of cannabis compared to recreational weed users with a 1-ounce possession limit.

The THC restrictions (limits) imposed on recreational marijuana do not apply to qualifying patients with medical marijuana cards in Vermont. Additionally, medical marijuana registry cardholders in the state pay lower taxes than recreational marijuana consumers. For instance, recreational weed purchases attract up to 20% tax, while medical cannabis patients only pay a 6% sales tax on cannabis purchases.

Does Vermont Allow Medical Marijuana Patients To Designate Caregivers?

Yes, certain patients under the Vermont medical marijuana program are required to designate caregivers. A designated caregiver is an individual residing in Vermont who is at least 21 years old and has consented to assume the responsibility of overseeing the healthcare of a registered patient in relation to the use of medical cannabis. Caregivers have the authority to visit licensed dispensaries and receive deliveries on behalf of their patients.

Additionally, they may assist in cultivating cannabis if necessary. Note that assigning a caregiver is not mandatory under the Vermont medical cannabis program. Patients below 18 years of age are permitted to have up to two registered caregivers. A registered patient can serve as a caregiver for another registered patient but cannot act as their own caregiver.

Note that individuals applying to become caregivers are obligated to undergo a criminal history record check based on their fingerprints. As per Section 3.3.3 of the Vermont medical cannabis program regulations, the Cannabis Control Board has the authority to temporarily register a caregiver while awaiting the completion of the criminal history check. This provision applies to applicants who are spouses, domestic partners, children, legal guardians, parents, siblings, grandparents, or grandchildren of the patient.

To fulfill this requirement, the caregiver must schedule an appointment at one of the 15 identification centers located in Vermont. You can find a list of these identification centers and detailed instructions on the fingerprinting process on the Vermont government website.

Vermont Medical Marijuana Reciprocity

Out-of-state medical marijuana cards are not admissible in Vermont-licensed medical marijuana dispensaries.

Are My Medical Marijuana Records Private?

Records of registered medical marijuana patients in Vermont are expected to be kept confidential like other medical records, as required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). HIPAA addresses the need to protect certain health information, known as protected health information (PHI), and stipulates instances when they can be disclosed. While patients' medical marijuana records are private, entities like law enforcement agencies and employers may request access under certain conditions without owners' authorization.

Does Insurance Cover Medical Marijuana In Vermont?

No, medical cannabis patients' expenses on marijuana products are not covered by health insurance in Vermont.

What Is The Medical Card Limit In Vermont?

A Vermont medical marijuana cardholder can purchase or possess up to 2 ounces of usable cannabis or up to 5 grams of marijuana concentrate per time.

Can You Go To A Dispensary Without A Medical Card In Vermont?

No. A valid medical marijuana card is required to purchase medical cannabis in Vermont.