Vermont COVID-19/Cannabis Roundup

Ed Note: Look for updated pandemic-related information on our COVID-19 Resources Page.

Medical Cannabis

At Champlain Valley Dispensary and Southern Vermont Wellness, all appointments will transition to pre-order/express pick up, either by the Blackbird platform or by phone. For CVD-Burlington and CVD-South Burlington please call 844- 283-9333. For SVW-Brattleboro and SVW-Middlebury please call 844-789-9333.

At Grassroots Vermont, Patients should call 802-465-8081 to schedule an appointment and place their pre-order. 

PhytoCare VT is adjusting their hours and emailing their patients directly. You can email them for more info at [email protected].

Vermont Patients Alliance is taking phone orders for pickup and delivery. Call them at (802) 225-6786.

Registry identification card expiration dates for current patients, caregivers and dispensary staff have been temporarily extended for 90 days. This applies to those individuals who are currently in the renewal process and have not yet received their new card and anyone moving forward that has an expiration date within the next 90 days.

State Government

Monday afternoon, Governor Scott issued an order that all businesses and nonprofits institute measures for working from home “to the maximum extent possible.” The order went into effect Monday at 8 p.m. and will remain in place until April 15.

Tax day has been postponed by the federal government to July 15.

Governor Scott also said that the National Guard and state medical surge team will stand up first of 3 medical surge sites. 

Vermont is also expanding unemployment benefits and emergency small business loans, which may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses and 2.75% for private non-profit organizations. More info at: https://accd.vermont.gov/economic-development/resources

Tax day has been postponed by the federal government to July 15. Because Vermont taxes are linked to federal taxes, filing dates have been moved for:

• Personal income tax
• Homestead
• Corporate
• Fiduciary

However, if you’re expecting a refund, there’s nothing stopping you from filing right now for a normal refund process. 

The Red Cross needs blood.

According to VT Senate President Tim Ashe in his Monday afternoon daily Facebook Live Update, the Senate is back in session today voting on emergency rules and legislation. They’re be moving to remote voting, and working on

• DMV allowing for 90-day extension of driver’s licenses, handicap tags, etc…
• Creating greater expansion of those who will be eligible for unemployment insurance
• Expanded telemedicine
• Allows hospitals to create more physical space for beds
• Longer prescription refills
• Making sure local meetings aren’t violating state law if legislators meet remotely. 
• Request from Judiciary to make some emergency changes to procedures.
  • ALL doors shut right now in criminal justice system. Everything from bail to wills to custody to adoption.
  • Looking for short term flexibility on court hearings.

Ashe also said that daily 4pm Joint Rules Committee meetings continue to highlight how complicated it is to respond quickly to the immense shift that’s happening. In the next 2 days, they’ll be focusing on: 

• Hospitals and their current capacity to meet current and expected need 
• Hospital supplies: N-95 masks, ventilators, 
• State of higher ed institutions – particularly the public ones. 

Ashe said that the Economic Development committee is working on:

• Unemployment insurance
• Worker’s comp
• landlord/tenant issues
• Financial relief for the self-employed and independent contractors

The Finance Committee will be meeting Wednesday at 1:30pm, and working on

• Property taxes (will you get a penalty for not paying on time?)
• How does this affect income sensitivity for those whose property taxes are adjusted for income?

Health/Wellness

The Red Cross needs blood. They’re taking rigorous safety measures, so if you feel capable of giving a pint, regional locations include:

• American Red Cross of Vermont – 32 N Prospect St, Burlington, VT 1-800-464-6692
• American Red Cross of New Hampshire – 2 Maitland Street, Concord, NH 1-800-464-6692
• American Red Cross of Northeast Massachusetts – 60 Island St, Lawrence, MA (978) 922-2224

Making Masks

Been thinking about making your own DIY mask? Here’s some great research on different materials and their protective viability. The information comes from a B-Corp that ships affordable fans and filters to people all over the world. Here’s a link for a pattern to make a mask.

Also, if you sew and are able to make masks you may call your local Jo-Ann Fabric and they have PRECUT the masks for you to sew. You can take as many as you like, they’ll carry it all to your car. When finished you drop them back off at the store and they’ll take them to the hospital for you.

Other Resources

Feeding Chittenden
Vermont Department of Health
Vermont Public Radio Coronavirus Coverage
VT Digger Coronavirus Coverage