Vermont Governor Signs Medical Cannabis Expansion Bill

On June 8, Gov. Phil Scott signed Senate Bill 16 to expand Vermont’s list of qualifying conditions for the state’s medical cannabis program. The bill adds Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Parkinson’s disease and Crohn’s disease to the list of acceptable conditions.

SB-16 authorizes one additional dispensary bringing the total to five dispensaries. Once the patient registry surpasses 7,000 members, a sixth dispensary can be authorized. SB-16 allows dispensaries to rebrand themselves as for-profit entities. Each dispensary will be permitted to open two retail locations. The Senate’s original proposal called for eight dispensaries, but the House called for four dispensaries before a compromise was reached.

The bill also requires the Agency of Agriculture, Food, and Markets and the Department of Public Safety to recommend independent testing practices on cannabis products by October 15, 2017. The Department of Safety and the Agency of Digital Services will be required to develop a user-friendly webpage to inform patients about program details.

The bill defines dispensary and patient requirements. “A dispensary shall implement appropriate security measures to deter and prevent the unauthorized entrance into areas containing marijuana and the theft of marijuana and shall ensure that each location has an operational security alarm system,” the final bill reads. “All cultivation of marijuana shall take place in an enclosed a secure, locked facility which is either indoors or otherwise outdoors, but not visible to the public and which that can only be accessed by principal officers and the owners, principals, financiers, and employees of the dispensary who have valid registry identification cards.”

Gov. Scott unexpectedly vetoed Resolution S. 22 last month which would have legalized recreational cannabis in Vermont. Despite clearing through the state’s legislature, the Governor felt that the bill needs further revision before he can sign. A recreational compromise bill could pass this summer during the veto session that begins on June 21. The law becomes effective July 1, 2017.