GOP Gov Phil Scott Allows Medical Marijuana Expansion In Vermont Without His Signature, Suggests Additional Guardrails

Gov. Phil Scott (R) has allowed medical cannabis program expansion to become law without his signature, reported Vermont Public.

"When cannabis became legal in Vermont, I emphasized safeguards around use, especially for our kids," Scott wrote in a letter to the General Assembly. "This bill takes some steps forward, and some steps back, in this area."

"On the positive side, it closes a loophole related to hemp-infused products with THC," the Governor continued."It ensures individuals with significant, documented medical needs continue to have access to medical cannabis. It makes progress toward safeguards for those under 21 seeking access to more potent medical products. And it's responsive to municipal concerns regarding setbacks for outdoor cannabis cultivators."

What happened: Under the new law, H.612, sponsored by state Reps. Michael McCarthy (D) and Matthew Birong (D) among other changes, existing retail cannabis stores are allowed to qualify for a license to sell to medical patients who can access higher-potency products without a sales tax.

Vermont lawmakers initially legalized medical marijuana twenty years ago. Legislators depenalized adult-use cannabis possession in 2018. Two years later, they passed separate legislation legalizing the retail production and sale of marijuana products. Governor Scott also allowed that measure to become law without his signature as well as one allowing higher THC limits for medical marijuana products.

Why it matters: When the retail marketplace was established in 2022, it notably reduced medical marijuana sales, which resulted in the closure of many of these establishments. James Pepper, chair of Vermont’s Cannabis Control Board confirmed that patients in some places have to travel far to reach a dispensary licensed to sell medical marijuana products.

“We actually don’t need to preserve the existing medical dispensary paradigm the way it was conceived back in 2011,” Pepper commented on the new law. “However, patients still need the benefits of a medical program.”If you live in the Northeast Kingdom, you’re driving 2, 2.5 hours round trip to South Burlington is your closest option. You know already that’s bad.”

Gov. Suggests Additional Guardrails

The Governor, however, expressed some concerns about this provision saying there are "warnings from healthcare providers that the availability of high potency medical cannabis products in more retail stores will increase use among those who do not have a valid medical prescription. I believe the Legislature should add additional guardrails and penalties to ensure medical cannabis cards are legitimately obtained and not illegally diverted. I'm also concerned that continued reductions in licensing fees will inevitably mean revenue dedicated to prevention will have to be used to fund Cannabis Control Board operations, instead of the prevention efforts we must continue to prioritize." 

Scott further stated that regulation of the state's cannabis market "remains vulnerable to powerful interests that favor profits over the health and wellbeing of children," but concluded the benefits of this bill still outweigh the risks.

See Also: Vermont Gov. Scott Opposes Drug Safe Consumption Sites

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Photo: Benzinga edit with images by Master Sgt. Sarah Mattison, U.S. Air National Guard via Wikimedia Commons and Budding . via Unsplash