How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Vermont in 2023
Article written by
Elena Schmidt
Content reviewed by
Ruth LemonChief of Staff
Vermont legalized medical cannabis in 2004 when Governor James Douglas allowed Senate Bill 76 to pass without his signature.
Vermont patients with a qualifying condition must apply for a valid medical card with Vermont’s Medical Cannabis Program (MCP) to purchase medical marijuana legally. The process of obtaining a medical marijuana card in Vermont includes getting a referral from a licensed physician and submitting an online or written application to the Vermont Cannabis Control Board (CCB).
MCP processes applications within 30 days of receipt. Cardholders can then purchase medical marijuana from one of Vermont’s five medical dispensaries.
Leafwell offers quick, affordable, and simple online services for Vermont medical marijuana card applications. Patients simply need to register online, meet with one of Leafwell’s qualifying physicians and apply to the Vermont Cannabis Control Board.
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Benefits of Having a Medical Card in Vermont
Medical and adult-use marijuana is legal in Vermont. However, obtaining a medical cannabis card in Vermont offers several benefits over retail purchases. These benefits include:
- Lower taxes: Medical cannabis patients pay a 14% tax compared to recreational purchases of up to 20%.
- Lower legal age: Medical marijuana patients with qualifying conditions may consume cannabis at 18 rather than 21.
- No THC restrictions: THC potency restrictions may apply to Vermont recreational cannabis. There are no THC restrictions for medical marijuana.
- Higher possession limits: Medical marijuana patients may possess double the amount (two ounces) of cannabis compared to recreational adult use (one ounce).
Eligibility Requirements
Patients must be state residents diagnosed with a qualifying condition by a licensed physician to be eligible for a medical marijuana card in Vermont.
Patients must also apply to the Vermont Cannabis Control board and pay the associated fees for new cards and renewals.
Can Minors Get a Medical Marijuana Card in Vermont?
Minors can access a Vermont medical marijuana card with the consent of a legal parent or guardian who applies for a caregiver license. Minors can have up to two caregivers.
Caregivers must create online accounts and submit an application and a $50 fee to Vermont’s Cannabis Control Board (CCB). Applicants will also be subject to a background check conducted by the CCB. If the caregiver application meets the requirements and the minor receives a doctor referral, the CCB will issue the medical cannabis card via mail.
Qualifying Conditions:
Qualifying medical conditions for medical cannabis patients include:
- Cachexia
- Cancer
- Chronic pain
- Crohn’s disease
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Multiple sclerosis
- Nausea and vomiting
- Parkinson’s disease
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Seizures and seizure disorders
How to Apply
To apply for a medical marijuana card in Vermont, patients must schedule an appointment in-person or online with a licensed physician to receive a written recommendation for medical cannabis. Once the physician has issued a recommendation, registered patients can submit an application, a color photo ID, and a fee to the CCB. Applicants must be legal residents of Vermont.
The CCB will process the application and respond in writing within 30 days of receiving the completed application. If the application is approved, the medical cannabis patient will receive the medical card at the mailing address provided within the completed application.
Documents Needed:
- Proof of valid ID and address.
- A healthcare professional verification form signed by a physician licensed to practice in Vermont.
- A digital photo. The color photo must be clear and taken within the past six months. You must be the only person in the photo, and it should be of your full face and shoulders with no sunglasses or hats obscuring the view of your face.
- Photos can be emailed to CCB.Med@vermont.gov, or a print can be mailed with the application.
Steps to Apply
Patients can meet with a private physician and apply for a medical cannabis card online through Vermont’s Cannabis Control Board portal. However, requesting a telemedicine appointment with one of Leafwell’s verified physicians is the quickest, simplest way to proceed. Here’s how it works:
- Register online with Leafwell.
- Attend an appointment with a qualified physician and pay Leafwell’s appointment fee. You’ll discuss your qualifying condition(s) during the appointment and how medical cannabis may help. If approved, your Leafwell physician will issue a recommendation confirming eligibility. You will only be charged if you’re approved.
- Apply for your medical marijuana card directly through Vermont’s online portal and pay the state fee, which is currently $50.
- Wait for approval. Vermont’s MCB usually takes 30 days to review and approve applications.
- Receive your medical marijuana card via U.S. mail.
Vermont residents who cannot apply online can mail a medical marijuana card application, required documents, and payment to the CCB. Printed applications should be sent to:
Cannabis Control Board
ATTN to Medical Program
89 Main Street
Montpelier, VT
05620-7001
What to Expect During Your Leafwell Appointment
Patients who schedule an appointment with Leafwell for a medical marijuana card in Vermont can expect a quick, convenient, and affordable telemedicine consultation with a licensed physician to review their medical history.
The appointment will be HIPAA-compliant and accessible. Patients can speak with the healthcare provider from the comfort of their homes; all that’s needed is a device with video conferencing capabilities.
Most appointments take between five to 10 minutes. Before the call, the physician may request a patient’s medical records to understand their condition better. During the consultation, the doctor will ask standard questions and review the patient’s medical records to determine how medical marijuana can alleviate their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
After the call, patients will receive state-specific application instructions from the Leafwell team.
Costs
Leafwell offers telemedicine consultations for Vermont residents for $199. You will only be charged if you’re approved.
Qualified patients must also pay a $50 non-refundable application fee when submitting initial and renewal applications. Payment can be made through check or money order and should be payable to the Cannabis Control Board.
Medical Marijuana Reciprocity
Vermont currently does not accept out-of-state medical marijuana cards. However, anyone at least 21 with a valid ID can buy cannabis from any retail dispensary in the state.
Applying as a Caregiver
In Vermont, caregivers ensure the patient’s well-being and can purchase and possess medical marijuana on the patient’s behalf. Adult cannabis cardholders can only designate one primary caregiver.
To apply as a caregiver, the qualified patient must complete the caregiver section of the application form and provide proof of identification for the caregiver. The caretaker must be a Vermont resident, 21 years or older, with no drug-related offenses.
Once the registration process is complete, registered caregivers must submit the application and the required documents, including a non-refundable $50 application fee. As of March 2022, caregivers must also pass a fingerprint-based criminal history record check.
Where to Buy Medical Marijuana
Vermont has five registered medical cannabis dispensaries as of January 2023.
Visit the CCB for more information on where to buy medical cannabis.
Cultivation
Registered medical marijuana patients in Vermont can possess up to two ounces of marijuana flower, six mature plants, and 12 immature marijuana plants.
Vermont Medical Cannabis Laws to Know
Vermont has several key laws and regulations governing medical cannabis card eligibility, use, cultivation, and possession.
- Vermont medical marijuana cardholders must have a qualifying medical condition and receive a doctor’s referral to purchase medical cannabis products.
- Vermont law states medical marijuana patients can possess up to two ounces of cannabis flower.
- Medical marijuana patients pay a 14% tax rate and can access products from one of five state-licensed dispensaries.
- This state does not offer reciprocity for medical marijuana patients in other states. Vermont visitors must purchase cannabis from retail dispensaries at a 20% tax rate.
- If an individual knowingly and unlawfully sells cannabis, they could face penalties including imprisonment for a maximum of two years, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.
- Cannabis use is not allowed in any public space or where the public can see it. If consuming cannabis in a public area, cannabis users could be fined $100 for the first offense.
For more information, visit the Vermont Statutes Online page.
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