Vermont Police Academy Recruits Volunteers to Consume Cannabis So Officers Can Practice Identifying Signs of Impairment

Vermont police are recruiting volunteers to consume cannabis in controlled settings so officers can practice identifying signs of impairment as part of expanded training on cannabis-impaired driving, the Burlington Free Press reports.

According to the report, the Vermont Police Academy received a $20,000 grant in 2025 from Responsibility.org and the Governors Highway Safety Association to expand training for officers on recognizing cannabis impairment. State data show crashes involving drivers suspected of having only cannabis in their system rose marginally from 2021 to 2025. Impaired driving overall contributed to about 51% of Vermont highway deaths, according to a community announcement cited by the Free Press.

The academy has since hosted cannabis impairment workshops that allow officers to observe volunteers who have consumed cannabis in a controlled setting. The first workshop was held in November 2025, followed by a second session in June 2026. Participants completed two monitored cannabis consumption sessions and were evaluated afterward, giving officers real-world practice identifying signs of impairment.

“These workshops offer a unique learning opportunity that simply cannot be replicated in a classroom,” JamieLee Bedard, impaired driving training coordinator, told the outlet. “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 Vermont’s regulated cannabis industry. During the November training, the academy partnered with Mountain Girl Cannabis of Rutland, whose owners spoke with officers about industry trends, misconceptions, and cannabis use in local communities. According to the report, the academy plans to expand the program and offer similar training opportunities to law enforcement agencies statewide.