Vermont Cannabis Licensing Resources & Laws

In 2018, Vermont became the first state to legalize adult-use cannabis through the Legislature, not the voters, as the state has no popular referendum process in place. In October of 2020, Vermont passed a tax and regulate bill.

October 1, 2022: Vermont dispensary sales expected to start for 21+ adults

NOTE: May 1 was the official date on which medical dispensaries in Vermont could begin selling to the general public. However, none of the three dispensaries have as yet opened their doors to the general public, and may not do so until fall.

Find more Vermont cannabis news, resources and info below

Control Board Timeline

What will happen and when?

  • April 1, 2022: License applications for integrated licensees, small cultivators, and testing laboratories can be accepted.
  • May 1, 2022: Licenses for integrated licensees, small cultivators, and testing laboratories can begin to be issued.
    • License applications for all cultivators can also be accepted.
  • June 1, 2022: Licenses for all cultivators can begin to be issued.
  • July 1, 2022: License applications for product manufacturers and wholesalers can be accepted.
  • August 1, 2022: Licenses for product manufacturers and wholesalers can begin to be issued.
  • September 1, 2022: License applications for retailers can be accepted.
  • October 1, 2022: Licenses for retailers can begin to be issued.

More Frequently Asked Questions from the Vermont Cannabis Control Board FAQ page.

How much will Vermont tax cannabis?

20%

The state of Vermont will impose a 14% excise tax on cannabis at the point of sale. There’s also a 6% general sales tax that will apply, for a total of 20%.

How will Vermont spend cannabis tax revenue?

Act 164 states that “revenue from the sales and use tax imposed . . . on retail sales of cannabis or cannabis products in this State shall be used to fund a grant program to start or expand afterschool and summer learning programs, with a focus on increasing access in underserved areas of the State.”

 

Vermont News

BIZ PRODUCTS

Vermont Municipalities Opted-In to Retail Cannabis Sales

EVENTS

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Licensing / Meetings

MEDICAL

A Brief Timeline of VT Medical Marijuana Laws

2004 – Vermont becomes the 9th state to approve medical cannabis by adopting “An act relating to marijuana use by persons with severe illness” which established a registry within the Department of Public Safety for patients and their
caregivers who are permitted to possess and cultivate cannabis.

2011 – Vermont enacted legislation to allow up to four dispensaries to provide cannabis to a maximum of 1,000 registered patients. The Dept. of Public Safety was directed to adopt rules and provide oversight for dispensaries.

2014 – The Legislature eliminated the patient cap, authorized delivery to patients, and permitted naturopaths to qualify patients for the registry.

2017 – New legislation, S.16, expanded the list of conditions that qualify for the medical marijuana registry to include Parkinson’s disease, Crohn’s disease and post-traumatic stress disorder. PTSD patients are also required to receive regular psychiatric or therapeutic care in order to qualify. Lastly, it created one additional dispensary license, bringing the total number of dispensaries in the state to five. PhytoCare Vermont secured this license.

Under the law, another medical license will be created when the number of registered patients in Vermont reaches 7,000.

The Control Board takes over the medical program from the Department of Public Safety on January 1 2022.

medical

Who Makes Up the Vermont Cannabis Trades Association?

Who Are The Members of The Vermont Cannabis Trades Association (VCTA)? The Vermont Cannabis Trades Association (VCTA) represents most of the medical dispensaries in the state, except for Grassroots Vermont […]

Heady Vermont Staff 13 Nov 2021

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Expungement & Possession Updates

In October 2020, the legislature also passed — and Gov. Scott signed — a bill that requires the automatic expungement of all cannabis possession offenses, and decriminalized possession of cannabis in amounts  about twice the legal limit. It took effect on January 1, 2021. You can read a summary of S. 234 here.

Cultivation up to 9 plants — 3 mature and up to six immature — became a civil penalty starting on January 1, 2021

As of July 1, 2018, adult cultivation in private of up to six cannabis plants — two mature and up to four immature — is no longer punishable by a criminal or civil penalty. Those who cultivate cannabis for their own personal use may possess at home the total quantity of their harvest.

More VT Laws
Hemp leaves dry in the barn at a farm in Marlboro.

Possession of 1-2 ounces became a civil penalty starting on January 1, 2021.

As of July 1, 2018, possession of one ounce or less of cannabis by a person 21 years of age or older, is no longer punishable by a civil penalty or fine.

Learn more about possession, sale and cultivation laws and penalties in Vermont.

More VT Laws

Penalties for Possession, Sale and Cultivation of Cannabis in Vermont

Detailed chart outlining penalties for different levels of possessions, sale and cultivation of cannabis in the state of Vermont, including updates for 2021.

VT Pot Penalties

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Other Vermont Resources

Check out our brand-new mixed resources page for policy developments, legislative summaries, COVID-19 support for business and individuals, anti-racism resources and news, and a cannabis dictionary.

Resources