Health Advocates Say Vermonter’s Public Health More Important Than Profit
Vermont Business Magazine In response to recent recommendations from Vermont’s Cannabis Control Board (CCB), physicians from the Vermont Medical Society (VMS), the American Academy of Pediatrics Vermont Chapter (AAPVT), the Vermont Psychiatric Association (VPA) and the Vermont Academy of Family Physicians (VTAFP) urge the Vermont legislature to maintain the current statutory THC potency limits for the retail sale of cannabis flower and solid cannabis concentrate as an important factor in protecting public health.
During the last legislative session, our organizations were successful in defeating a similar proposal, when lawmakers voted to support the retention of the 60% THC cap on solid concentrates and 30% THC cap on cannabis flower.
The joint statement said, "Our organizations believe it is premature to reopen this debate when Vermont’s cannabis sales just came online, initial revenue estimates appear to be meeting their targets, and states like CO and WA are currently seeking stronger regulation of solid concentrates because of the negative health impacts on their users."
The CCB’s own report, submitted to the Legislature on January 3, 2023, cites numerous studies that show a growing body of evidence that the risks of physical dependence and addiction increase with exposure to high concentrations of THC, and the continued use of products with potency greater than 15% THC are more likely to produce psychosis, suicidality, anxiety and uncontrollable vomiting.
“Vermonters already have a very low perception of harm from the use of cannabis. At a time when Vermonters are facing filled hospital beds, crowded emergency departments and prolonged wait times for in-patient mental health treatment, Vermonters deserve evidence-based information about the use of high-risk, high-potency products,” says Ryan Sexton, M.D., emergency medicine physician and President of the Vermont Medical Society. “Vermont has the opportunity to benefit from information coming out of other states and to build a safer cannabis market.”
Many Vermonters associate legalized cannabis sales with marijuana from the 1990s, when THC levels were on average less than 4%. Yet, in states with established legal markets, like Colorado and Washington, THC potency has dramatically increased, with averages for marijuana flower ranging from 17-28% and for solid concentrates as high as 90% THC.
VMS, AAPVT, VPA and VTAFP urge the Vermont General Assembly to choose the protection of Vermonters public health over the profit goals of the cannabis marketplace by maintaining the current statutory THC potency limits for the retail sale of cannabis flower and solid concentrated cannabis products.
The Vermont Medical Society is the leading voice of physicians in the state and is dedicated to optimizing the health of all Vermonters and the health care environment in which Vermont physicians and physician assistants practice medicine. The Society serves its 2,400 members through public policy advocacy on the state and federal levels, as well as by providing legal, administrative, and educational support, producing a rich flow of news and information, and offering member benefits that increase medical practice effectiveness and efficiency. For more information, visit www.VTMD.org
The American Academy of Pediatrics Vermont Chapter is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the physical, mental, and social health and well-being of the state’s infants, children, adolescents, and young adults. AAPVT works to achieve these goals by using the collective voice of Vermont’s pediatricians to improve the lives of Vermont’s youth through public education, research, child advocacy and policy development. www.aapvt.org
The Vermont Academy of Family Physicians is committed to advocating on behalf of the state’s family physicians and promoting health among Vermonters, striving to protect the importance of the physician/patient relationship within the health care system, promote a positive practice environment and assist in the development of a unified voice on public policy issues that affect the health of Vermonters. Part of their mission is dedicated to providing responsible advocacy for, and education of, patients and of the public in all health-related matters.
The Vermont Psychiatric Association is the state’s largest organization of psychiatrists. Its approximate 120 members specialize in the treatment of mental health disorders and are committed to advancing the practice of psychiatric care in the state. The VPA accomplishes this by advocating on behalf of patients with mental health conditions, their families and care providers, promoting professionalism through continuing medical education, research and collegiality, and by representing the interests of psychiatrists and their patients before numerous legislative and regulatory bodies.
MONTPELIER – January 5, 2023 – Vermont Medical Society
