Vermont Physician Groups Urge Lawmakers to Maintain THC Potency Caps

Physicians’ organizations in Vermont are urging lawmakers to maintain the current THC limits on cannabis flower and concentrates as the state Cannabis Control Board (CCB) is considering dropping the caps. The groups include the Vermont Medical Society (VMS), the American Academy of Pediatrics Vermont Chapter (AAPVT), the Vermont Psychiatric Association (VPA), and the Vermont Academy of Family Physicians (VTAFP). 

In a press release, the organizations said they were “successful in defeating a similar proposal” to raise or eliminate the caps last session as lawmakers voted to retain the 30% THC cap on flower and the 60% THC cap on concentrates.   

“Our organizations believe it is premature to reopen this debate when Vermont’s cannabis sales just came online, initial revenue estimates appear to be meeting their targets, and states like CO and WA are currently seeking stronger regulation of solid concentrates because of the negative health impacts on their users.” — VMS, AAPVT, VPA, VTAFP in a statement 

The organizations cite a CCB report submitted to the Legislature this week that claims cannabis and cannabis products with THC concentrations greater than 15% “are more likely to produce psychosis, suicidality, anxiety, and uncontrollable vomiting.”   

In a statement, Ryan Sexton, M.D., an emergency medicine physician and president of the VMS, said “Vermonters already have a very low perception of harm from the use of cannabis” and the state “has the opportunity to benefit from information coming out of other states and to build a safer cannabis market.”     

Adult-use cannabis sales commenced in the Green Mountain State last October.