CBD Oil in Vermont [Your Complete Guide]

CBD oil has become one of the hottest commodities in the health and wellness niche. However, sellers are not allowed to claim that it has therapeutic potential. It is illegal to say CBD treats, cures or prevents any condition. Even so, millions of people worldwide claim it helps them manage the symptoms of numerous medical issues.

The legal status of CBD in many states is murky. The cannabinoid itself isn’t legal, but most locations allow the sale of products containing it. This is as long as the CBD comes from industrial hemp and contains less than 0.3% THC.

One would expect clarity in the state of Vermont. After all, it now permits recreational cannabis, thanks to H.511. As it happens, CBD is legal in Vermont, but it only became official recently, and regulations aren’t necessarily straightforward.

Is CBD Legal in Vermont?

The answer is ‘yes,’ but it took the state a long time to confirm it. Vermont has permitted MMJ since 2004. However, until the passage of the Farm Bill in December 2018, CBD oil was technically not legal in the state! Before the groundbreaking piece of legislation, you needed an MMJ card to be 100% safe when buying CBD.

The latest edition of the Farm Bill helped hasten the formal legality of CBD and clarified Vermont hemp laws. According to Chapter 34, Title 6 of the Vermont Legislature, hemp and hemp-related products’ cultivation, processing, and commerce are now legal in the state. The Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets (VSA) oversees the state’s hemp program.

Today, CBD Vermont laws state that hemp and CBD products derived from hemp are legal. One issue is that the cannabinoid is subject to the 6% Vermont Sales and Use Tax. The sole exception is Epidiolex, a pharmaceutical product approved by the FDA.

Also, CBD is not exempt from this tax as a food ingredient, food, or dietary supplement. However, you don’t need to pay sales tax on CBD when it is part of a taxable meal.

Finally, you can only buy CBD derived from hemp with a THC content below 0.3%. Interestingly, some stores in the state won’t sell CBD to anyone under 21. All forms of CBD are legal, and there is no limit to the amount you can possess.

Vermont CBD Laws

One of the benefits of living in Vermont is knowing that you will generally get high-standard CBD. This is important because the cannabidiol market has a big problem with a lack of regulation in general. As it is not an FDA-approved substance, there are no federal rules. Indeed, the FDA continues to suggest that CBD isn’t safe.

It is up to each state to make its rules. Most don’t bother and allow low-quality CBD companies to operate. It is a little different in Vermont, thankfully. The Vermont hemp program’s regulations mean that CBD products derived from hemp in the state must meet specific labeling standards. All labels must include:

• A full list of ingredients in descending order of prominence
• The content’s quantity in measure, weight, or numerical count
• The product manufacturer’s name and mailing address
• The date of manufacture, process lot number, and expiration date
• A clear statement that the ingredients are derived from hemp
• The amount of all cannabinoids in the product by serving size
• A statement that the product contains THC if applicable

Remember, all of the above only relate to items derived from hemp cultivated in the state. If you are a resident and buy online, there is no guarantee that the product will have the same protections as CBD in Vermont.

It’s also important to differentiate between hemp CBD oil and hemp seed oil. CBD comes from the stem, leaves, and stalk of the hemp plant, which has a high concentration of cannabidiol. Hemp seed oil comes from the hemp seeds, which while full of nutritional value contain no CBD; therefore, you won’t benefit from the positive effects of cannabidiol.

Some stores in Vermont may sell hemp seed oil, so be sure to buy the correct product if you’re looking for CBD specifically.

Where to Buy CBD Oil in Vermont

Remember, CBD buyers in Vermont enjoy a greater level of protection than in most states. Therefore, as long as you purchase CBD oil from a reputable store, you should benefit from high-quality products. We also invite you to check out numerous top-notch online brands at the end of this article. Each offers premium quality CBD derived from hemp and ships products to your door.

However, if you don’t mind traveling to get your cannabidiol, here are five physical stores that sell it. Each one has received a significant number of positive online customer reviews.

Marijuana Law in Vermont

Vermont legalized MMJ in May 2004 after Senate Bill 76 passed without Governor James Douglas’ signature. The state further expanded the MMJ program in June 2007 with Senate Bill 7. Once again, Douglas refused to sign the law.

Governor Peter Shumlin signed HB 200 in June 2013. It decriminalized the possession of less than an ounce of marijuana. It was becoming clear that Vermont was on the road to full legalization.

This scenario finally came to pass in January 2018 when the state became the first in America to legalize recreational marijuana via its Legislature. It was an amended version of a bill that Governor Phil Scott vetoed in 2017.

However, H.511 didn’t have any provisions for sales or revenue. A bill called S.54 went into effect in October 2020 and allowed for regulated sales of recreational cannabis. Further delays ensured that dispensaries didn’t begin selling adult-use marijuana until October 2022.

Cannabis Penalties in Vermont

In Vermont, adults aged 21+ can possess up to an ounce of marijuana without an MMJ card. If you’re caught with more than that amount, you could spend up to six months in prison. A second offense may result in a two-year jail term. The possession of over two ounces of marijuana is a felony with a potential incarceration period of three years.

The illegal sale of any amount of weed is a misdemeanor that could see you spend up to two years in jail. Selling over half an ounce without the requisite license is a felony; the potential prison term is five years.

Final Thoughts on Whether CBD is Legal in Vermont

If you are a Vermont resident, you may see signs that advertise CBD hemp seed oil. These are legal and nutritious offerings but don’t contain much CBD. This is because the hemp plant’s seeds contain minimal amounts of the cannabinoid. The highest concentrations of CBD in hemp are in the stem, leaves, stalk, and plant flowers.

Vermont residents are now permitted to sell and buy CBD products. However, these items are subject to the state’s Sales Tax. At present, Vermont has a thriving MMJ program, and adult-use sales began in October 2022.