New Vermont Law Will Increase Access to Medical Marijuana, Further Nullify Federal Prohibition

By Shane Trejo

A Vermont bill to fully legalize medical marijuana for qualifying patients was signed into law last week by Gov. Phil Scott. The new measure takes another step toward effectively nullifying the unconstitutional federal prohibition on the same.

Introduced by Sen. Dick Sears (D-Bennington) and six co-sponsors, Senate Bill 16 (S.16) expands the existing laws on the books pertaining to medical marijuana to greatly expand access for qualifying patients. The Senate initially passed S.16 in February. An amended version was passed by the House on May 2 by a 130-16 vote. The Senate suspended the rules, and approved the  amended bill on May 10. The bill was sent back to the House, and then to Gov. Scott who signed it into law.

“I think it’ll help an awful lot of people to relieve symptoms of various ailments,” Sen. Sears said.

Patients would be able to qualify for medical marijuana if they suffered from one or more of the following ailments listed in S.16:

(A) cancer, multiple sclerosis, positive status for human immunodeficiency virus, acquired immune deficiency syndrome, glaucoma, post-traumatic stress disorder, Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, or the treatment of these conditions, if the disease or the treatment results in severe, persistent, and intractable symptoms;

(B) a disease, medical condition, or its treatment that is chronic, debilitating, and produces one or more of the following intractable symptoms: cachexia or wasting syndrome; chronic pain; severe nausea; or seizures; or

(C) other disease, condition, or treatment as determined in writing by a qualifying patient’s health care professional.