On October 7, 2020 Gov. Phil Scott announced that he would sign S. 54, a bill to regulate and tax adult-use cannabis sales to become law. This made Vermont the 11th state to regulate recreational marijuana sales. Vermont Recreational Marijuana retail sales began in 2022.
Who Oversees the Recreational Program in Vermont?
The Cannabis Control Board was established through Act 164 in 2020 for the purpose of safely, equitably implementing and administering the rules and regulating recreational marijuana in Vermont. It is responsible for establishing, administering, and regulating a cannabis regulatory system for commercial cannabis cultivators, wholesalers, product manufacturers, retailers and testing laboratories.
Vermont Recreational Marijuana Sale Restrictions
The regulation of marijuana sales has defined purchase limitations for consumers. The specified possession limit for botanical cannabis allows for up to 4 ounces per 30 days to be dispensed to a patient. The specified possession limit for cannabis oil products is a 90-day supply. Such products, as defined under the law, must contain per dose a minimum of 5 mg of CBD or THC-A and may contain up to 10 mg of THC. Products permitted under the law may be in any formulation, including inhalable, edible, and topical preparations. Possession of up to an ounce of marijuana legal for people 21 and older beginning July 1 2021. Adults caught with more than an ounce but less than a pound will face a $25 fine.
These limitations are outlined in the Vermont Standard Operating Procedures.
Vermont Recreational Marijuana Taxes
Medical marijuana is not taxed in Vermont. Virginia’s adult-use stores, will collect a 21% state cannabis excise tax in addition to the statewide 5.3% sales tax. An extra 3% tax may be added by the local municipality.