Last verified: March 2026
Current Possession Limits (Adults 21+)
| Product Type | Legal Limit |
|---|---|
| Flower (dried cannabis) | 1 ounce (28.35 grams) |
| Concentrates (wax, shatter, oil) | 5 grams |
Penalty Escalation by Amount
Vermont uses a tiered approach that escalates from civil penalties to felony charges:
| Amount (Flower) | Classification | Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1 oz | Legal | No penalty |
| 1–2 oz | Civil violation (decriminalized) | Civil penalty only — no criminal record |
| 2–8 oz | Misdemeanor | Up to 6 months in prison and/or $500 fine |
| 8 oz – 10 lbs | Felony | Significant prison time and fines |
| 10+ lbs | Felony (enhanced) | Up to 15 years in prison and/or $500,000 fine |
Home Harvest Exemption
An important distinction in Vermont law: cannabis harvested from your legal home grow does not count toward the 1 ounce personal possession limit when stored at your residence. You can legally grow 2 mature and 4 immature plants per dwelling unit and store the resulting harvest at home without it being measured against your carry limit. However, when you leave your property, you may only carry up to 1 ounce.
Transaction Equivalencies
Vermont defines equivalent amounts across product types to prevent mixing products to exceed effective limits:
| 1 Ounce of Flower Equals | Equivalent Amount |
|---|---|
| Edibles (THC content) | 8,400 mg THC |
| Vape cartridges (0.5g standard) | Approximately 8 cartridges |
| Concentrate | 5 grams |
Gifting Rules
Adults 21+ may gift up to 1 ounce of flower or 5 grams of concentrate to another adult 21+, as long as no compensation of any kind is exchanged. This means no money, no goods, no services, and no "donations." In 2018, Attorney General Donovan issued guidance explicitly stating that gift economy workarounds are illegal — selling a $50 sticker that comes with a "free" eighth is unlicensed distribution, not gifting.
S.278: Proposed Doubled Limits (2026)
S.278, which passed the Vermont Senate on March 26, 2026, proposes doubling the current possession limits:
| Product | Current Limit | S.278 Proposed |
|---|---|---|
| Flower | 1 oz | 2 oz |
| Concentrates | 5g | 10g |
| Edible package size | 100mg | 200mg |
S.278 also proposes 15 delivery permits, 20 event permits, interstate commerce compacts, and a bar on municipalities issuing full prohibitions on cannabis retail. The bill still needs to pass the House.
Cannabis purchased in Vermont cannot cross any state line — not into New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New York, or Canada. This is a federal offense regardless of legality in both states. Border details.
For in-depth cannabis education, dosing guides, safety information, and research summaries, visit our partner site TryCannabis.org