5/9/2011 – Medical cannabis dispensaries are just a signature away from becoming a reality in Vermont. The House voted last week with a strong margin and Governor Peter Shumlin (D) has been a vocal supporter of the issue, so he will likely sign it into law.

Although some Republican opponents brought up the recent federal pressure on such facilities, it was not seen as paramount to the needs of local patients. Seriously ill or terminal residents in Vermont must grow their own cannabis under the current state law. This hard-fought effort to bring four dispensaries into operation is seen as filling a specific need that will directly benefit individuals who do not have the physical ability to cultivate medical-quality cannabis at home.

US Attorneys in Arizona, Washington, Rhode Island, Colorado and even Vermont have recently sent paper threats against state medical marijuana programs, especially store-front facilities.

The fed actions caused WA Gov. Chris Gregoire and RI Gov. Lincoln Chaffe to suspend their Legislatures’ plans for medical marijuana dispensaries. But not everyone is backing down in the most refined state vs federal conflict of the 21st century. Gregoire also leads the National Governors Association and she has called for the 15 medical cannabis governors to unite in asking Congress to remove marijuana from Schedule I in the Controlled Substances Act

Amidst the escaltion in national politics for the issue, Vermont is not alone in moving forward with plans to regulate dispensaries. A medical marijuana bill in Delaware has passed both houses and awaits a confirmation vote in the Senate. [UPDATE – Gov Jack Markell signed the bill into law 5/13]

New Jersey is set to finalize regulations later in May that would bring the six approved Alternative Treatment Centers into operation.

Maryland passed a law to offer a positive medical necessity defense in court if seriously ill residents are arrested.

Connecticut is also close to fully passing a bill to legalize marijuana for seriously ill adults. Gov Daniel Malloy’s staff are taking on a position fitting for the current climate: