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Understanding Potency Caps: The Complexities of Vermont Cannabis Laws

Posted on April 28th, 2023 to Education

If you’ve shopped for edibles, tinctures, or even flower in other states, you may have discovered that Vermont marijuana laws are a little, well, different. While Vermont did finally allow recreational cannabis, they did so with some unique stipulations, especially where product potencies are involved. So you have a better understanding of what you can expect when you shop at a VT dispensary for different products, we’ve compiled the details every recreational customer should know below.

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VT Regulations On the Potency of Different Cannabis Products

Act 164 laid the framework for the adult-use cannabis market in the Green Mountain State. While this was undeniably an exciting change for recreational cannabis customers, many were surprised to learn that Act 164 also set down firm caps on the THC limits of certain products. In other words, products with THC were only allowed if the percentage of THC or potency levels stayed below certain pre-set limits.

VT is not the only state to place caps on THC levels in cannabis products; Connecticut enacted similar measures. Take a closer look at caps in place according to Vermont cannabis laws below.

Flower

The THC cap on Vermont retail cannabis flower is no more than 30 percent THC. While cannabis flower with potency levels above 30 percent is not all that common, there are some modern strains that do exceed this limit. For example, the ever-popular Chemdawg strain can run as high as 32 percent THC.

Concentrates

Concentrates have a relatively strict THC cap of no more than 60 percent. However, VT only has caps on solid concentrates, which means these limits do not apply to liquid concentrates like tinctures or even the concentrates used in vapes and vape carts.

Tinctures

Tinctures may seem to exist in a category of their own, but tinctures are simply liquid concentrates. The products are made by extracting cannabinoids from cannabis, purifying the valuable compounds, and then possibly adding the compounds to a liquid carrier oil. Therefore, there is no THC cap on these products.

Edibles

Vermont cannabis laws state that edibles can only contain 5 mg of THC per serving. This particular limitation is in line with others including Massachusetts, Virginia, and Connecticut. Thirteen other states have set the limit for edibles at 10mg per serving.

Why THC Caps in Cannabis in VT Are a Bit Weird

On the surface level, THC caps may seem like a logical effort. However, when you look more closely, the caps truly don’t make a lot of sense. Consider these scenarios made possible by the odd regulations in VT:

  • A full bottle of cannabis tincture may offer up to 900 mg of THC, but solid edibles can only contain 5 mg per serving
  • You can’t buy cannabis flower to smoke that is over 30% THC, but you can buy a vape cart with THC at nearly 90 percent
  • A gram of live rosin concentrate can only be 60 percent THC, but a cart with live rosin concentrate has no THC limit

The good news is, there are efforts underway to lift the THC caps in VT. As of 2023, the Cannabis Control Board Vermont has actually been pushing for the THC caps to be lifted on cannabis products. The CCC says that having these caps in place often means products like concentrates contain harmful filler ingredients. Further, some claim the caps are creating an illegal black market for high-potency cannabis products brought in from other states.

Confused About Vermont Marijuana Laws?

Trust us, you’re definitely not alone. The THC caps have managed to make a lot of aspects a little confusing. At VT Bud Barn, we’re here to walk you through finding the potency you want (within legal limits) and getting the products you need. Feel free to ask our budtenders anything if you need help.

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