Montpelier, VT--Vermont Governor Phil Scott has permitted major medical cannabis reform legislation, HB 270, to become law, albeit without his signature.
[Image via Hemp Gazette]
According to a Hemp Gazette report, the law, HB 270, allows registered patients to cultivate twelve cannabis plants at home, a significant increase from the previous limit of nine. It also raises the maximum count of mature home-grown plants from two to six. It doubles the allowable tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content in a single-serving medical cannabis product from 50 to 100 milligrams.
The report added that HB 270 further broadens medical cannabis access to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) patients, augmenting the qualifying conditions that already include cancer, multiple sclerosis, HIV/AIDS, glaucoma, Crohn's disease, and Parkinson's disease. The law also permits a caregiver to serve two patients at any given time, an increase from the previous limit.
The controversial aspect of HB 270 is the annulment of the Cannabis Control Board's (CCB) sunset. The CCB oversees implementing and regulating a safe, legal market for adult cannabis use in Vermont, wielding significant influence. Governor Scott expressed concerns over the CCB's lack of oversight, which, according to him, could potentially lead to future mismanagement and conflicts of interest.
In the report, Governor Scott let the bill become law, citing current legislation that mandates CCB members serve at the governor's pleasure. He hoped the legislature and the CCB would work with him to clarify the CCB's statutory authority constitutionally.
The report noted that HB 270 became effective without the Governor's signature on June 14, 2023.
Learn more in the full Hemp Gazette report.