VT H0856

Establishes a 13-member Drug Use Health and Safety Advisory Board composed of harm reduction providers, substance use disorder treatment experts, academic researchers, and individuals with lived drug use experience to determine "benchmark personal use supply" quantities for regulated drugs by January 1, 2027

Reduces low-level drug possession penalties from up to 1 year imprisonment and $2,000 fine to 6 months imprisonment and $500 fine across all drug categories including cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamine, ecstasy, and hallucinogens

Reclassifies mid-level felony drug possession offenses to misdemeanors with reduced penalties (from 5 years/$25,000-$100,000 to 2 years/$2,000-$5,000) for amounts above personal use but below trafficking thresholds

Increases heroin weight thresholds that trigger enhanced penalties: the trafficking threshold rises from 3.5 grams to 7 grams, and lower felony thresholds increase from 200mg to 1 gram and from 1 gram to 2.5 grams

Takes effect July 1, 2026, with the Department of Health required to initiate rulemaking within 90 days of receiving the Advisory Board's benchmark recommendations