Vermont Health Department Launches ‘Let’s Talk Cannabis’ Website

In Vermont, it is legal for adults to possess and consume recreational marijuana. Now, the state has rolled out what could be seen as the latest piece in its broader cannabis infrastructure.

The Vermont Health Department recently launched a new online resource called “Let’s Talk Cannabis.” According to the Health Department, the series of webpages are designed to give Vermonters access to a broad range of information about cannabis and cannabis consumption.

Vermont’s New Cannabis Information Portal

Per the new website: “By providing science-based information, the Health Department is working to increase awareness about cannabis and how it affects our bodies, minds and health.”

Within the portal, the Vermont Health Department offers information on a number of specific topics. There are sections devoted to the following:

• Cannabis and Youth – Information on cannabis consumption and people younger than 21 years old.
• Parents and Mentors – Information for adults working or involved with young people.
• Cannabis, Pregnancy and Breastfeeding – Information for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or otherwise caring for a baby.
• Cannabis Information for Health Care Providers – Information for healthcare practitioners involved with or trying to learn more about medical marijuana.
• Responsible Use of Cannabis for Adults – Information for adults, including materials related to driving, effects of marijuana, synthetic marijuana, and how weed affects young people and pets.
• FAQ – Additional information and resources.

Vermont Health Commissioner Dr. Mark Levine told the Associated Press that there are ways in which consuming cannabis can be unhealthy. Further, he told the AP that the purpose of the new cannabis information website is to give residents information that will help them make informed choices about cannabis and cannabis consumption.

Cannabis in Vermont

In many ways, Vermont is often touted as a particularly progressive state when it comes to cannabis and cannabis law.

Currently, the state has a legal medical marijuana program. Additionally, recreational cannabis is also legal.

Interestingly, Vermont legalized recreational marijuana entirely through the legislative process rather than through a popular vote.

Under the state’s recreational cannabis laws, adults can possess up to an ounce of marijuana or five grams of hash. Additionally, adults can also grow their own marijuana at home.

Home cultivation is limited to four immature and two mature plants at any one time. Yet even though all this is legal, the state has not set up a recreational marijuana retail system. And that can leave people in a bind, unable to legally purchase the weed they are legally allowed to possess and consume.

Earlier this year, lawmakers introduced a proposal to change this. Specifically, measure S. 54 proposed a system for taxing and regulating commercial sale of recreational marijuana in Vermont.

“The current situation that we have right now where cannabis is legal for adults to use and to possess, but if you can’t grow it in your own home, maybe because you have small kids in the house or maybe because you live in an apartment, you don’t have any legal way to access it,” Rep. Sarah Copeland Hanzas said about Vermont’s current cannabis laws. “So I think there is more of a push to say, ‘This current landscape is illogical.’”

According to Vermont’s legislative website, S. 54 remains in committee.