The state of VT has decided to place a “sin tax” on buprenorphine. IMO, this was just a matter of time before this was done. This follows the bureaucracy’s mindset after putting sin taxes on the drugs Alcohol and Nicotine. The state has turned the corner of people using/abusing some substance and costing them money paying for putting people in jail and is trying to turn it into a revenue stream. They are still going to put people in jail who they have determined are SELLING BUPRENORPHINE by possessing > 224 mg. Which substance that has an abuse potential will be next be classified by a state that is worthy of generating more revenue via a SIN TAX ?
Vermont decriminalizes buprenorphine, used to treat opioid use disorder: What to know.
Vermont has decriminalized possession of a medication typically prescribed to treat opioid use disorder.
Gov. Phil Scott signed into lawH.225,a bill that replaces criminal penalties with civil penalties for possession in quantities of 224 milligrams or less of buprenorphine.
The medication is considered an opioid partial agonist and can produce effects weaker than heroin and methadone, known as full opioid agonists. Benefits associated with buprenorphine include its ability to diminish the effects of opioid dependence, like cravings and withdrawal symptoms.
Scott in a letter to the General Assembly expressed some doubt, including concerns about the lack of data related to decriminalizing the medication and its efficacy in minimizing overdoses.
“Although I remain skeptical, I signed this bill because it is well-intentioned and offers another potential approach to reduce the impacts of substance use disorder,” he said in the letter.
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The law took effect immediately with Scott’s signature. The governor noted the Legislature set an endpoint for the law in July 2023 “providing experts the opportunity to assess the effectiveness of this initiative.” The governor signed an executive order assigning the chief prevention officer to create a task force, which will track data to assess the impact of decriminalizing the drug.
Several representatives sponsored the bill, including the following lawmakers from Burlington:
- Brian Cina (P/D).
- Selene Colburn (P).
- Barbara Rachelson (D).
The history in Burlington:Why Chittenden County prosecutor Sarah George stopped prosecuting buprenorphine cases in 2017
Filed under: General Problems
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So it’s not a problem to obtain and use a controlled substance without a prescription? How is this possibility OK or safe?!?