Hemp Laws & Licensing · VT

Vermont hemp laws & licensing

Verified September 29, 2026Medium confidenceClosed on GHD

At a glance

Retail license / registration required?
No — Vermont has no state cultivation license (growers use USDA since the state plan ended 2022-12-31) and, until Act 178…
Minimum age
21+
State THC caps (hemp products)
1.5 mg THC per serving · 10 mg per package
Hemp-derived THC products · online sales
Cannabis system only / banned · online: Prohibited
Key law
Vermont Cannabis Control Board Hemp Rule (eff. 2023-10-21); 7 V.S.A. ch. 33; Act 178 (S.323, 2026) — effective October 21, 2023

The law today

Vermont has no state cultivation license (growers use USDA since the state plan ended 2022-12-31) and, until Act 178, no registration for selling non-intoxicating hemp/CBD products. Under CCB rules a product is treated as cannabis, not hemp, if it exceeds 0.3% total THC, contains more than 1.5 mg THC per serving or 10 mg per package (unless CBD:THC is at least 20:1), contains alcohol, or is marketed to intoxicate; such products, all hemp-derived THC concentrates, synthetic cannabinoids, delta-8/delta-10 with intoxicating effects, and THC added to manufactured foods are prohibited outside licensed cannabis establishments.

Act 178 (signed 2026-06-18, hemp sections effective on passage) moves hemp oversight to the CCB and requires growers to register ($50), processors to be licensed ($500) and any hemp product with more than 0.4 mg THC to be registered ($75) before sale in Vermont; products not lawful in interstate commerce are deemed cannabis. The CCB had not yet posted the new application forms at verification time.

Who regulates it

Cannabis regulator

Hemp-derived THC products here run through the cannabis system: Vermont Cannabis Control Boardccb.vermont.gov (opens in a new tab)

Licenses & registrations

The law

Testing & COAs

CCB hemp guidance – products above 0.3% total THC (THCa x 0.877), 1.5 mg THC/serving or 10 mg/package are cannabis; COA/manifest documentation for interstate transportccb.vermont.gov (opens in a new tab)

Need a lab? COA analysis partners

Steps to a compliant hemp business in Vermont

  1. 1

    Register the business with the Vermont Secretary of State and obtain a Vermont sales tax account

  2. 2

    Growers: obtain a USDA hemp producer license through HeMP, then register as a hemp grower with the CCB ($50) once forms are available

  3. 3

    Processors (including anyone trading in hemp-derived cannabinoids): obtain the CCB hemp processor license ($500) when the CCB opens applications; until then, follow the CCB hemp guidance

  4. 4

    Register any hemp product containing more than 0.4 mg THC with the CCB ($75) before selling it in Vermont; keep it within 1.5 mg THC/serving and 10 mg/package or it is a cannabis product requiring a cannabis license

  5. 5

    Do not sell hemp-derived THC concentrates, synthetic or converted cannabinoids (delta-8/10 marketed as intoxicating), alcohol-infused hemp products, or THC-added foods outside the licensed cannabis system

  6. 6

    Follow Vermont Department of Health manufactured-food rules for edible hemp products and keep COAs/manifests for any interstate shipment

On Good Hemp Distro

Recreational (21+) market in Vermont

Closed on GHD

The Recreational (21+) market isn't available in Vermont: state law only allows these hemp products through its licensed cannabis system, if at all.

State law: cannabis system only.

Browse Everyday Hemp, Industrial & Services →

Live status — it changes as state rules are verified and as the federal cutoff approaches. Everyday Hemp, Industrial and Services products are available everywhere.

Sources & verification

Verified
September 29, 2026 — every official link above was fetched and checked on that date.
Confidence
Medium confidence — Some links or dates rely on secondary sources or pending rulemaking; see the notes.
Research notes
Act 178 is in force but the CCB has not yet published the grower/processor/product registration process or fee collection details; its hemp page still describes the pre-Act 178 framework and the processor registry is closed. Re-check ccb.vermont.gov/hemp before applying. The legacy AAFM statute link (6 V.S.A. ch. 34) is included for history only.
Good Hemp Distro market notes
1.5 mg THC per serving / 10 mg per package (unless 20:1 CBD:THC); delta-8/10, synthetic cannabinoids and products marketed as intoxicating prohibited; intoxicating THC products only via licensed cannabis retailers. Act 178 (eff. 2026-07-01) moves hemp oversight to the CCB. (Recreational (21+) state dataset, version 2026-09-28)

Cited sources

Vermont hemp law FAQ

Short answers drawn from the official Vermont sources above (verified September 29, 2026). Not legal advice.

Do I need a license to sell hemp products in Vermont?
Vermont does not issue a hemp retail license: Vermont has no state cultivation license (growers use USDA since the state plan ended 2022-12-31) and, until Act 178, no registration for selling non-intoxicating hemp/CBD products. Official link: USDA Hemp eManagement Platform (HeMP) – producer license (ams.usda.gov) — fee: No USDA fee. Federal rules (USDA grower licensing, FDA labeling, carrier policies) still apply.
Who regulates hemp in Vermont?
Vermont Cannabis Control Board (CCB) — Regulates hemp-derived products and, since Act 178 (signed 2026-06-18), hemp grower registration, processor licensing and hemp product registration (7 V.S.A. ch. 31, subch. 3). USDA Agricultural Marketing Service – Domestic Hemp Production Program — Hemp cultivation licensing for Vermont growers (state plan withdrawn 2022-12-31). Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets (legacy hemp program) — Former state hemp program (ended 2022); page redirects growers to USDA and product questions to the CCB. Hemp-derived THC products run through the cannabis regulator: Vermont Cannabis Control Board.
What are Vermont's hemp laws in 2026?
Vermont has no state cultivation license (growers use USDA since the state plan ended 2022-12-31) and, until Act 178, no registration for selling non-intoxicating hemp/CBD products. Under CCB rules a product is treated as cannabis, not hemp, if it exceeds 0.3% total THC, contains more than 1.5 mg THC per serving or 10 mg per package (unless CBD:THC is at least 20:1), contains alcohol, or is marketed to intoxicate; such products, all hemp-derived THC concentrates, synthetic cannabinoids, delta-8/delta-10 with intoxicating effects, and THC added to manufactured foods are prohibited outside licensed cannabis establishments. Key law: Vermont Cannabis Control Board Hemp Rule (eff. 2023-10-21); 7 V.S.A. ch. 33; Act 178 (S.323, 2026) (effective October 21, 2023).
What is the minimum age to buy hemp products in Vermont?
21+ under Vermont law (Vermont Cannabis Control Board Hemp Rule (eff. 2023-10-21); 7 V.S.A. ch. 33; Act 178 (S.323, 2026)). Good Hemp Distro is 21+ everywhere regardless.
Does Vermont cap THC in hemp products?
Yes — 1.5 mg THC per serving · 10 mg per package under Vermont Cannabis Control Board Hemp Rule (eff. 2023-10-21); 7 V.S.A. ch. 33; Act 178 (S.323, 2026). Federally, hemp must test at or below 0.3% total THC.
Does Vermont require lab testing (a COA) for hemp products?
CCB hemp guidance – products above 0.3% total THC (THCa x 0.877), 1.5 mg THC/serving or 10 mg/package are cannabis; COA/manifest documentation for interstate transport. Official page: ccb.vermont.gov
How do I start a compliant hemp business in Vermont?
1. Register the business with the Vermont Secretary of State and obtain a Vermont sales tax account. 2. Growers: obtain a USDA hemp producer license through HeMP, then register as a hemp grower with the CCB ($50) once forms are available. 3. Processors (including anyone trading in hemp-derived cannabinoids): obtain the CCB hemp processor license ($500) when the CCB opens applications; until then, follow the CCB hemp guidance. 4. Register any hemp product containing more than 0.4 mg THC with the CCB ($75) before selling it in Vermont; keep it within 1.5 mg THC/serving and 10 mg/package or it is a cannabis product requiring a cannabis license. 5. Do not sell hemp-derived THC concentrates, synthetic or converted cannabinoids (delta-8/10 marketed as intoxicating), alcohol-infused hemp products, or THC-added foods outside the licensed cannabis system. 6. Follow Vermont Department of Health manufactured-food rules for edible hemp products and keep COAs/manifests for any interstate shipment.

Related

Not legal advice. Links and summaries verified September 29, 2026; laws change — always confirm with the official links and a licensed attorney before you sell.