Does cancer qualify for a medical card in Vermont?
Yes. The Vermont Medical Cannabis Program lists Cancer as a qualifying condition. A Vermont-licensed provider still has to evaluate you and agree that cannabis is appropriate.
About cancer
Stronger evidence. The National Academies found conclusive evidence that oral cannabinoids prevent and treat chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. There is not enough evidence that cannabis treats or cures cancer.
Symptoms Vermont patients most often hope to ease:
- Nausea and vomiting from chemotherapy
- Loss of appetite and unwanted weight loss
- Cancer-related pain
- Burning or tingling nerve pain from chemotherapy
- Trouble sleeping
Read more: medical marijuana for cancer.
How to get certified in Vermont
- Confirm you are a Vermont resident with one of the listed qualifying conditions.
- See a health care professional who has treated you for at least three months (or qualifies for an exception) and has done a physical exam.
- Have the professional complete and submit the Healthcare Professional Verification Form, signed within the last six months.
- Create an account in the CCB online portal on a desktop or laptop (it does not work on phones or tablets).
- Upload a recent color photo and your Vermont ID details, then pay the $50 fee by credit or debit card.
- Wait for the CCB to review the application, usually within 30 days; incomplete applications get 30 days to be fixed.
Vermont requires your first certification visit in person. Renewals can usually be done online.
Costs and timeline
- State fee: $50 per application (initial or renewal)
- Card lasts: 3 years
- Processing: Within 30 days of receiving a complete application
- Patient limit: Up to 2 oz of cannabis, plus cannabis grown and stored at home
- Home grow: Up to 6 mature and 12 immature plants for registered patients/caregivers
- Recreational sales: Legal for adults 21+
- First visit online: No — in person first
See the full Vermont cost breakdown and Vermont program overview.
Other qualifying conditions in Vermont
- Cachexia & wasting syndrome
- Chronic pain
- Crohn's & IBD
- Epilepsy & seizures
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Multiple sclerosis
- Nausea & appetite loss
- PTSD
- Parkinson's disease
- Ulcerative colitis
Cancer in nearby states
Frequently asked questions
Do I need medical records for cancer?
How long does certification take in Vermont?
Can I renew online in Vermont?
Sources
- Medical Cannabis Program - Vermont Cannabis Control Board
- Medical Program FAQs - Vermont Cannabis Control Board
- Medical Applications and Forms - Vermont Cannabis Control Board
- CCB Rule 3: Medical Cannabis (adopted text, 2025)
- National Academies — The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids (2017)
This guide is general information, not medical or legal advice. Laws change — confirm details with your state agency. State facts last checked October 7, 2026.