Marijuana home-growers face new hurdles as ‘gifting’ loophole declared illegal

GROWING PAINS: The average marijuana smoker faces many hurdles to home-growing — and selling — under the new legalization law in Vermont.MONTPELIER — In an advisory statement released Monday, the Vermont Attorney General’s Office declared that giving out “free” marijuana with other sold items is illegal under state law.“Any transfer of marijuana for money, barter, or other legal consideration remains illegal under Vermont law. This includes a commercial transaction (i.e., an exchange of goods or services for money) with a purported “gift” of marijuana,” the statement read.Examples given by the office of Attorney General TJ Donovan include gifting marijuana with bracelets, t-shirts or even paid delivery.Recreational marijuana possession became legal in Vermont earlier this month. However, the law does not create a commercialized market, meaning it’s up to smokers to grow plants on their own. They also may give marijuana as a gift, but not as a commercial transaction.Home-growing is a bi...