Which healthcare provider is NOT licensed to prescribe medical marijuana in Vermont?

In Vermont, the legal framework governing medical marijuana allows certain types of healthcare providers to recommend its use to patients. Among these providers, physicians, naturopathic doctors, and advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) have the authority to prescribe or certify patients for medical marijuana under specific conditions.

Optometrists, while they are healthcare professionals specializing in eye care, do not fall within the category of licensed providers who can recommend medical marijuana in Vermont. The specific regulations define which healthcare practitioners are eligible to recommend cannabis, focusing mainly on those who manage a patient's overall health or have extensive training in certain medical conditions. Thus, since optometrists are not included in this list of authorized prescribers, the correct answer is that they are not licensed to prescribe medical marijuana in the state.

This distinction underlines the importance of understanding each profession's scope of practice and the legal regulations that govern recommendation of controlled substances, including medical marijuana.