S 284 Vermont Senate · 2025-2026 Regular Session

An act relating to possessing and dispensing regulated drugs

This bill establishes the Drug Use Health and Safety Advisory Board to determine "benchmark personal use supply" limits for each regulated drug (like cannabis), aiming to reduce criminal penalties for personal use. It lowers penalties for low-level drug possession offenses to a maximum $500 fine or six months in jail (instead of felony charges) and reclassifies some drug possession violations from felonies to misdemeanors. The bill eliminates the crime of dispensing regulated drugs, except when dispensing to someone under 21 (which remains a five-year felony). For cannabis specifically, it sets civil penalties for small amounts (e.g., up to $100 for first offense) and requires court diversion for first-time possession over certain limits.
Bill status introduced 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 21, 2026 Last action Jan 21, 2026
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Jan 21, 2026
Introduced
Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Judiciary
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

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