Cannabis-related arrests in Vermont are ranking among the lowest rates in the nation, according to recently published data from the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML). The data, which was sourced from the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), as part of their annual National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) report, stated that 3 percent of statewide drug arrests were related to Cannabis in 2024, placing Vermont among states with the lowest rates of cannabis-related criminal activity in the nation.    

According to a recent article published by NORML on Wednesday, Nov. 5, which compared cannabis-related arrests across all fifty states and the District of Columbia, cannabis-related arrests in locations where adult recreational use of cannabis remains illegal make up a sizable portion of illegal substance arrests. 

During 2024, Iowa, Idaho, Louisiana, Nebraska and Wisconsin saw more than half of illegal substance arrests related to cannabis. In contrast, Vermont has seen steady declines in arrests related to cannabis since the state adopted legalization in 2018. 

In 2018, Vermont arrests for cannabis possession were cited at 89, with 46 in 2019, 34 in 2020 and 2021, 29 in 2022, 25 in 2023 and 24 in 2024. Arrests from illicit sales in 2018 were cited at 27, with 20 in 2029, 10 in 2020, 4 in 2021, 7 in 2022, 5 in 2023, and 6 in 2024. Statewide statistics gesture at a causal relationship between legalization and decreases in criminal activity.   

According to Cannabis Control Board (CCB) Chair James Pepper, Vermont’s legalization framework has served as a public benefit for the state’s wellbeing.

“Vermont in general has a lot of offramps in the criminal justice system. We have diversion, a wide array of diversion-eligible crimes, community justice centers and we have been very progressive in our opinions about cannabis, and its relationship to the criminal justice system,” said Pepper.

Pepper said that a majority of non-violent cannabis related legal proceedings tend to be handled by diversion programs. Diversion programs have historically proven to be successful at improving rehabilitation rates among criminal offenders. 

“Cannabis enforcement has never been a huge priority among our state attorneys. We have very limited judicial resources here, and a lengthy criminal backlog, so minor cannabis crimes end up going the diversion route,” added Pepper.

Rev J.S. Baker, who serves as a Board Member for the Vermont chapter of NORML said that Vermont’s legalization model has helped to reduce crime, but that more work needs to be done.

“The way that’s been rolled out so far has been good so far, but there is still a lot we need to do in order to achieve social equity and help right the wrongs imposed by the failed war on drugs. We have certainly taken a lot of strides in the right direction to reduce the amount of people who are imprisoned for using a plant that has been used for ten thousand years,” said Baker.

“Vermont’s legal market has been great for cannabis users because it offers a marketplace for a safe and tested product, and obviously safer than what would happen if someone had to meet up with someone they don’t know in a parking lot to purchase cannabis, like you often see in states that don’t have a legal marketplace, and potentially putting them in an unsafe situation,” added Baker.

Baker highlighted the importance of pursuing restorative measures as an added component of cannabis justice and public safety.

“Legalization has been a great first step, but there is still a lot we need to do, such as expungement of criminal records and setting people up for a better future. Not having people’[s careers and lives ruined for previous convictions of using a plant,” said Baker.

“If people previously ran afoul of the law for non-violent cannabis crimes, it’s an absolute positive for our communities to give those people the second chance they deserve, instead of punishing them for something that is not illegal anymore. They should not be at a disadvantage when applying for jobs or trying to build their lives back,” added Baker.