Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes the establishment and operation of 4 medical marijuana dispensaries within the state of Vermont.

Highlights:

• Authorizes the establishment of no more than 4 medical marijuana dispensaries certified by the Department of Public Safety (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that certain factors shall "weigh heavily" in the consideration of a proposed dispensary's application for operation including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 1):
• Geographical convenience to patients;
• The ability of the entity to provide an adequate supply of medical marijuana to registered patients in the state; and
• The comments, if any, of registered patients and caregivers.

• Defines "registered patient" as a resident of Vermont who has been issued a registration card for the use of medical marijuana, whereas existing law defined "registered patient" as any person who has been issued a registration card for the use of medical marijuana (Sec. 1).

• Requires medical marijuana dispensaries to be operated on a nonprofit basis, but specifies that they need not be recognized as tax-exempt organizations by the Internal Revenue Service (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes medical marijuana dispensaries to cultivate and posses the following amounts of marijuana for each registered patient (Sec. 1):
• 2 mature marijuana plants;
• 7 immature marijuana plants; and
• 2 ounces of usable marijuana.

• Limits the dispensation of medical marijuana to no more than 2 ounces of usable marijuana to each registered patient within a 30 day period (Sec. 1).

• Prohibits a registered patient from growing additional marijuana if he or she has designated a dispensary, effective July 1, 2014 (Secs. 1 & 4).

• Limits the total statewide number of registered patients who have indicated that they will purchase marijuana from a dispensary to 1,000 at any one time (Sec. 1).

• Appropriates $108,500 to the Department of Public Safety for the purpose of implementing the provisions of this act (Sec. 3).

Full Bill Text