It has been possible to get a Vermont MMJ card for close to two decades now. The state has one of the oldest and most established medical marijuana programs in the country. VT also legalized recreational cannabis, although it took around five years for legal sales to begin.
Of course, it’s still worth applying for a Vermont MMJ card because the process is fairly easy, and cardholders have higher possession and purchasing limits than recreational users. Below, I highlight how to get a Vermont MMJ card while also discussing the history of marijuana in the state and its cannabis laws.
Getting Your Vermont MMJ Card
There is little difference between getting a medical marijuanas card in VT and most other state programs. However, there has been a change in how to apply. In 2022, the Vermont Medical Marijuana Registry was integrated into the Cannabis Control Board (CCB). Therefore, you need to go to the official CCB website to apply for your Vermont MMJ card.
You’re free to register to activate your account, but you can’t take any further steps until you receive a doctor’s recommendation. In Vermont, this is extremely easy since a variety of healthcare providers are allowed to act in this capacity. In many states, only a licensed physician can provide written certification. In VT, you can get it from clinical social workers, psychologists, certified physician assistants, and a handful of other medical professionals.
You can even get a medical professional in New York, Massachusetts, or New Hampshire to do it if they are licensed under “substantially equivalent provisions.” If that’s not enough, you can get your Vermont MMJ card online by using a reputable agency. One such provider is MMJCardOnline, a company that’s linked with top-rated providers such as Leafwell.
If the medical professional thinks you will benefit from medical marijuana, they will give you the necessary certification. At this point, you must complete the application online and include an updated digital photo of yourself. The state’s MMJ registry will give you written notification when it has read your application. If the application is accepted, you will get your MMJ card in the mail. You also need to register with the Patient Registry. If you’re rejected, you have the chance to appeal.
Marijuana in Vermont; History and Penalties
Vermont was among the first states to ban weed early in the 20th century, doing so in 1915. It remained illegal until May 2004, when Governor Douglas elected to permit Senate Bill 76 to pass without providing his signature. The law was expended three years later through SB 7. Once again, Douglas refused to sign.
Fast forward to June 2013, and Governor Shumlin decriminalized the possession of up to an ounce of weed. This was a sensible decision considering the impact a conviction for marijuana possession can have.
According to data published by the United States Sentencing Commission, more than 70% of federal offenders sentenced for marijuana possession went to jail. On average, they served five months in prison. Apart from spending time in prison, individuals convicted of marijuana possession have the conviction on their permanent records. This may make it more difficult to gain employment and can even impact their ability to get loans or find housing.
Even though recreational cannabis is available in VT, you can still spend up to six months in prison if found with more than an ounce of the substance. The possession of over two ounces remains a felony, and if convicted, you could be fined up to $500,000 and spend 15 years in prison. Incidentally, you can possess up to two ounces if you have a Vermont MMJ card.
Final Thoughts on Getting a Vermont MMJ Card
Although it is now possible to buy recreational cannabis in VT, adults aged 21+ can only buy and possess a maximum of an ounce. If you have a Vermont MMJ card, on the other hand, you can possess twice that amount. Remember, if you have more than an ounce and less than two without the legal protection provided by the MMJ card, you could spend time in prison. As the millions of people who have suffered that fate can attest, it is a life-changing experience, and usually not in a good way.