Vermont Gov. Phil Scott has signed legislation expanding the state’s medical cannabis program, adding three qualifying conditions, one dispensary license, and allowing dispensaries to have two locations, according to a Vermont Digger report. The expansion comes less than a month after the Republican governor vetoed a bill that would have legalized adult cannabis use and possession in Vermont, but did not create an industry.
The measure adds post-traumatic stress disorder, Parkinson’s disease, and Crohn’s disease, as of July 1. PTSD patients are also required to receive regular psychiatric and therapeutic care to qualify for medical cannabis.
The new law, adding one dispensary license, brings the total permitted to operate in the state to five, each now allowed two locations. Another license will be created when the number of registered patients reaches 7,000. Right now there are about 4,000 people enrolled in the state program.
Sen. Dick Sears, who voted in favor of the expansion package, said the measure will “help an awful lot of people to relieve symptoms of various ailments” and adding dispensaries will improve access for patients.
Sears also indicated that lawmakers have drafted a new legalization bill, which was sent to the governor’s office last week for his opinion. The legislature could take up that bill during a veto session which is set to begin June 21.