§ 971. Intent; purpose

(a) It is the intent of the General Assembly to provide a well-regulated system of licensed medical cannabis dispensaries for the purpose of providing cannabis, cannabis products, and related services to patients and caregivers who are registered on the Medical Cannabis Registry pursuant to chapter 35 of this title. Vermont first authorized dispensaries in 2011, and it is the intent of the General Assembly that dispensaries continue to provide unique goods and services to registered patients and caregivers for therapeutic purposes in a market that also allows cannabis establishments licensed pursuant to chapter 33 of this title.

(b) A dispensary licensed pursuant to this chapter may engage in practices that are not permitted for a cannabis establishment. As such, a dispensary may:

(1) be vertically integrated under one license;

(2) sell tax-free cannabis and cannabis products to patients and caregivers;

(3) deliver cannabis and cannabis products to patients and caregivers;

(4) allow patients and caregivers to purchase cannabis and cannabis products without leaving their vehicles;

(5) produce and sell cannabis and cannabis products that have a higher THC content than is permitted for a cannabis establishment;

(6) produce and sell cannabis products that may not otherwise be permitted for a cannabis establishment but that would be appropriate for use by a patient as determined by the Board through rulemaking; and

(7) sell larger quantities of cannabis and cannabis products than is permitted for a cannabis establishment. (Added 2019, No. 164 (Adj. Sess.), § 12, eff. March 1, 2022.)