Vermont is gearing up to address a significant challenge in its medical cannabis landscape. With more medical cannabis patients turning to retail shops for their needs, the state is pushing for improved employee education to ensure patients receive reliable and safe guidance.
Medical Cannabis Registry Faces Decline
Since Vermont’s first retail cannabis store opened two years ago, the state’s medical cannabis registry has seen a steep decline. The number of registered medical patients has dropped by about one-third, reflecting a shift in consumer behavior.
This drop has led to closures of medical dispensaries. Two of Vermont’s six dispensaries, located in Middlebury and Bennington, shut their doors after adult-use retail shops began operations in October 2022. This trend signals a growing preference for retail cannabis stores, which offer convenience but often lack the specialized support medical patients need.
New Licensing for Medical Cannabis Sales
To fill the gap left by closing dispensaries, Vermont plans to allow regular retail stores to sell medical cannabis starting next year. These retail outlets will need to obtain a special license to offer products with higher potencies specifically intended for medical use.
The state has outlined several requirements for these stores, including:
- Separate medical and adult-use cannabis products to avoid confusion.
- Protect patient privacy to maintain confidentiality.
- Mandate educational training for employees to ensure proper service.
James Pepper, chair of Vermont’s Cannabis Control Board, stressed the importance of preparing retail staff, often called “budtenders,” to handle medical inquiries responsibly.
“Patients are walking in with complex questions about their medications and cannabis options,” Pepper said. “It’s critical that budtenders aren’t put in the position of giving medical advice they aren’t qualified to provide.”
Training for Retail Staff: A Necessary Step
As part of the new licensing requirements, Vermont plans to implement mandatory training for retail employees selling medical cannabis. The program will cover several key topics, such as:
- The physiological effects of cannabinoids.
- Appropriate dosing protocols for medical patients.
- Recognizing risks and common side effects associated with cannabis use.
The Cannabis Control Board is exploring partnerships with evidence-based educational services like Cannify. The proposed system would enable customers to complete a medical questionnaire at a computer in the store, generating tailored advice for their needs.
Pepper emphasized the importance of grounding this training in peer-reviewed, evidence-based science to create a reliable framework for employee education.
Concerns About Online Advice Systems
Not everyone is convinced that the Cannify platform is the right solution. Jessa Barnard, executive director of the Vermont Medical Society, raised concerns about the potential for bias in product recommendations.
“We support providing evidence-based information to employees,” Barnard said. “But when recommendations steer patients toward certain brands, it becomes problematic.”
Barnard highlighted the limitations of current cannabis regulation, noting that without federal FDA approval, the medical advice patients receive is often based on anecdotal evidence rather than rigorous scientific studies.
“Cannabis remains in a gray zone,” she explained. “Some FDA-approved THC products exist, but the broader market is unregulated. This creates a mismatch between what patients need and the information available.”
Balancing Regulation and Patient Needs
The state faces a delicate balancing act as it rolls out this new licensing model. On one hand, there’s a clear demand for medical cannabis access through retail outlets. On the other, ensuring patient safety and maintaining professional standards in product recommendations remain top priorities.
While Vermont grapples with these challenges, the initiative to improve employee training marks a significant step toward bridging the gap between convenience and expertise in cannabis retail.
