Here is a brief overview of the history of medical marijuana laws and legislation in Vermont:
2004 – Governor James Douglas passes the "Act Relating to Marijuana Use by Persons with Severe Illness," alongside Senate Bill 76 (SB 76) and House Bill 645 (HB 645). This removed state-level penalties on the use and possession of marijuana for those with debilitating conditions.
2011 – SB 17 is passed, providing a framework for registering up to 4 medical marijuana dispensaries for the state of Vermont. This is known as "An Act Relating To Registering Four Nonprofit Organizations To Dispense Marijuana For Symptom Relief."
2013 – Two medical marijuana dispensaries open.
In 2015, Senate Bill 95 and House bill 277 were submitted, proposing regulated recreational cannabis sales; however, neither bill passed during the 2015 legislative session.
2017 – 2018 – In May 2017, the Vermont House approved a bill to allow personal possession, use, and cultivation of cannabis but not commercial sales.