What Conditions Qualify for Medical Marijuana Card in Vermont (2024)

How Many Medical Conditions Qualify for Medical Marijuana Treatment in Vermont?

The Cannabis Control Board (CCB) of the State of Vermont recognizes seven debilitating or chronic illnesses and four symptomatic outcomes as qualifying conditions for medical marijuana treatment.

Qualifying Conditions for Medical Card in Vermont 2024

To be eligible for a medical marijuana registry ID card in Vermont, a patient must be diagnosed with one or more of the following qualifying medical conditions:

• Cancer
• Multiple sclerosis
• HIV or AIDS
• Glaucoma
• Crohn's disease
• Parkinson's disease
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

In addition, Vermont issues medical marijuana cards to patients suffering from debilitating conditions that cause the following symptoms:

• Cachexia or wasting syndrome
• Chronic pain
• Severe nausea
• Seizures

Does Vermont Add New Qualifying Conditions to its Medical Marijuana Program?

Yes. Vermont has expanded access to medical marijuana since the inception of its medical cannabis program in 2004. In 2017, it passed bill S.16 into law to add PTSD, Crohn’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease to its list of qualifying medical conditions for medical cannabis treatment. As of 2024, Vermont has only added new qualifying conditions through this legislative act and has no system in place for residents to petition for the addition of new debilitating conditions.

Does Vermont Allow Physicians to Recommend Medical Cannabis for Non-Qualifying Conditions?

No. Medical providers cannot recommend medical cannabis for non-qualifying conditions in the state. An eligible provider can only recommend medical cannabis for a condition not specifically mentioned on the list of approved qualifying conditions if that illness caused chronic pain, severe nausea, cachexia, or seizures.

Do You Need a Doctor’s Recommendation for Medical Marijuana in Vermont?

In Vermont, a patient needs a medical provider statement to be registered in the state’s medical cannabis program. However, Vermont does not require providers to recommend or prescribe medical cannabis to patients. Provider certifications are only to confirm that applying patients have debilitating medical conditions recognized as qualifying for medical cannabis use in the state. Vermont accepts patient recommendations from:

• Physicians
• Osteopathic physicians
• Naturopathic physicians
• Physician assistants, and
• Nurse practitioners

Eligible healthcare providers must be licensed to practice in Vermont, New York, New Hampshire, or Massachusetts. Patients can submit their applications to the Vermont medical cannabis program no later than 6 months from the dates on their provider verification forms.

Who Qualifies for a Medical Marijuana Card in Vermont?

In addition to submitting a provider verification for a qualifying medical condition, Vermont requires anyone applying for its medical cannabis registry identification card to be a resident of the state. Vermont medical cannabis cards are available to both adults and minors. Minors, however, need the consent of their parents or legal guardians and must name a caregiver (allowed to have up to two caregivers) on their applications.