BURLINGTON, VT - Law enforcement agencies across the state of Vermont are expanding training for its officers to help them identify cannabis-impaired drivers in an effort to keep the roads safe.
The Vermont Police Academy received funding to support the training, as officials respond to rising crash data and evolving attitudes around cannabis use, according to the Burlington Free Press.
State data show crashes involving drivers suspected of having only cannabis in their system rose from 13 incidents with three fatalities in 2021 to 20 crashes and four fatalities in 2025. Impaired driving overall remains a major factor in highway deaths, contributing to about 51% of fatalities, according to a community announcement.
In 2025, the Vermont Police Academy was awarded a $20,000 grant from Responsibility.org and the Governors Highway Safety Association to expand training for officers on recognizing cannabis impairment. The Vermont Police Academy partnered with Extract-ED, a nationally recognized organization specializing in cannabis impairment detection training, Bennington Banner reported.
The academy has since held workshops designed to help officers better identify impairment in real-world scenarios. The first session took place in November 2025, followed by a second in June 2026.
The training modalities differ from traditional classroom instruction by allowing officers to observe volunteers who have consumed cannabis in a controlled environment. Participants complete two monitored consumption sessions and are evaluated after each.
"These workshops offer a unique learning opportunity that simply cannot be replicated in a classroom," said JamieLee Bedard, impaired driving training coordinator. "Officers gain firsthand experience recognizing signs of cannabis impairment, while volunteers gain a better understanding of how cannabis affects their ability to drive safely."
Organizers said the program also creates opportunities for discussion between law enforcement and the state's regulated cannabis industry. During the November 2025 training, the academy partnered with Mountain Girl Cannabis of Rutland. Business owners spoke with officers about industry trends, common misconceptions and how cannabis is used within communities.
The Vermont Police Academy received funding to support the training, as officials respond to rising crash data and evolving attitudes around cannabis use, according to the Burlington Free Press.
State data show crashes involving drivers suspected of having only cannabis in their system rose from 13 incidents with three fatalities in 2021 to 20 crashes and four fatalities in 2025. Impaired driving overall remains a major factor in highway deaths, contributing to about 51% of fatalities, according to a community announcement.
In 2025, the Vermont Police Academy was awarded a $20,000 grant from Responsibility.org and the Governors Highway Safety Association to expand training for officers on recognizing cannabis impairment. The Vermont Police Academy partnered with Extract-ED, a nationally recognized organization specializing in cannabis impairment detection training, Bennington Banner reported.
The academy has since held workshops designed to help officers better identify impairment in real-world scenarios. The first session took place in November 2025, followed by a second in June 2026.
The training modalities differ from traditional classroom instruction by allowing officers to observe volunteers who have consumed cannabis in a controlled environment. Participants complete two monitored consumption sessions and are evaluated after each.
"These workshops offer a unique learning opportunity that simply cannot be replicated in a classroom," said JamieLee Bedard, impaired driving training coordinator. "Officers gain firsthand experience recognizing signs of cannabis impairment, while volunteers gain a better understanding of how cannabis affects their ability to drive safely."
Organizers said the program also creates opportunities for discussion between law enforcement and the state's regulated cannabis industry. During the November 2025 training, the academy partnered with Mountain Girl Cannabis of Rutland. Business owners spoke with officers about industry trends, common misconceptions and how cannabis is used within communities.
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