Does glaucoma qualify for a medical card in Vermont?
Yes. The Vermont Medical Cannabis Program lists Glaucoma as a qualifying condition. A Vermont-licensed provider still has to evaluate you and agree that cannabis is appropriate.
About glaucoma
Weak evidence. Cannabis lowers eye pressure for only a few hours at a time. The National Academies found limited evidence that cannabinoids are an ineffective treatment for glaucoma, and eye specialists don't recommend it in place of standard care.
Symptoms Vermont patients most often hope to ease:
- High eye pressure that is hard to control
- Eye pain or headaches linked to eye pressure
- Side effects or difficulty using daily eye drops
- Worry about vision loss
- Trouble sleeping
Read more: medical marijuana for glaucoma.
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
- Cancer
- Chronic pain
- Crohn's & IBD
- Epilepsy & seizures
- HIV/AIDS
- Multiple sclerosis
- Nausea & appetite loss
- PTSD
- Parkinson's disease
- Ulcerative colitis
Glaucoma in nearby states
Frequently asked questions
Do I need medical records for glaucoma?
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.