Cannabis Control Board takes industry side on 60% THC limit

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The VMS resolution is at odds with the Cannabis Control Board, a 14-member appointed board created by legislation to oversee the creation of a legal retail market for marijuana. In a Nov. 1 report to the Legislature, it recommended permitting concentrates of up to 60% THC.

By Guy Page

The Vermont Cannabis Control Board should limit THC concentration in legal marijuana products to 15%, a Nov. 17 Vermont Medical Society resolution urges.

THC is the psychoactive chemical in marijuana. “The risk of mental illness and addiction increases substantially with increasing THC concentrations such that Netherlands declared greater than 15% THC cannabis a hard drug,” the resolution says.

The VMS resolution is at odds with the Cannabis Control Board, a 14-member appointed board created by legislation to oversee the creation of a legal retail market for marijuana. In a Nov. 1 report to the Legislature, it recommended permitting concentrates of up to 60% THC. Banning 60% concentrates is potentially dangerous and “will subject licensed manufacturers to increased costs,” the CCB recommendation claims.When THC is extracted from the cannabis plant, the resulting solid or liquid concentrate will, by nature, be above 60%.” Dilution can be imprecise, possibly giving consumers incorrect information about concentration, it said.

Against these concerns expressed by marijuana product manufacturers, the VMS notes the significant mental and physical health dangers posed by high-concentrate marijuana.

In 2020 according to the Vermont Department of Health “marijuana use is a significant public health problem in Vermont, and it is getting worse.”

Cannabis use, especially of high potency greater than 15% THC, is associated with increased urgent and emergency department psychiatric visits and increased mental health disorders including psychosis. Non-psychiatric problems such as respiratory distress and hyperemesis (“scromiting”) “are now seen in most large emergency rooms every day, overburdening health care resources and staff,” the VMS said.

Both child and adult cannabis poisonings calls are increasing significantly, the VMS warned.

The VMS also wants the CCB to require this printed warning on all packaging and advertising: WARNING: Cannabis/THC may cause: 1. Psychosis* 2. Impaired driving 3. Addiction 4. Suicide attempt* 5. Uncontrollable vomiting 6. Harm to fetus/nursing baby.

The CCB will meet next at 11 AM this Friday, Dec. 3. On Nov. 24, it published:

Proposed Rule 1 – The Licensing of Cannabis Establishments

Proposed Rule 2 – The Regulation of Cannabis Establishments

Guy Page is publisher of the Vermont Daily Chronicle. Reprinted with permission.

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3 thoughts on “Cannabis Control Board takes industry side on 60% THC limit

  1. This is an excellent example of how VERMONT politics is completely owned by lobbyists.

    It is well known across the country that lobbyists can gat anything passed in the state of Vermont.

    VERMONT has completely sold out to lobbyists.
    VERMONT has completely sold out to the uniparty.
    Vermont is the first colony of the United Nations, under complete control.

    Notice how now politically party, Uniparty left nor UNIPARTY right are for medical freedom of treatment of cOvid -19? Uniparty doesn’t want it. Lobbyists don’t want it.

    Same here for 60% THC, uniparty wants very high drug concentration.
    Lobbyists want very high drug concentrations.

    What will Vermont get? What the uniparty wants, what the lobbyists want.

    When we sell out for power and money, these are the fruits we reap.

    • According to their own members, the Vermont Medical Society is “the most consistent lobbying presence for medicine in Montpelier.” ‍♂️

  2. This is no surprise from a board created by legislators who are absolutely drunk (well, stoned) with excitement over this potential revenue source to fund more politically-lucrative “social infrastructure” programs. They certainly keep their eye on the prize, while ignoring all practical arguments. It is an upsidedown lefty fantasy world when 60% THC is considered benign while vaping products are the spawn of the devil and lawsuits are brought by TJ to restrict them. Fortunately, the idiot legislature created fairly generous grow-your-own provisions long before a commercial market was set up and people have invested in growing equipment and gained the know how to hopefully completely eliminate the demand for the heavily taxed commercial products in flashy packaging. Vermont is absolutely flush with high quality home grown weed and my hope is that the upcoming commercial market falls flat on it’s face. Marijuana users: If we can’t vote these marxist idiots out, at least we can limit their booty by NOT PARTICIPATING in this commercial market tax revenue they are salivating over.

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