Cannabis for Better Sleep: What Vermont Residents Need to Know in 2026
Winter nights in Vermont run long. By mid-January, the sun sets before five, and the dark stretches on for fourteen hours or more. If you've found yourself lying awake at 2 AM, watching the cold moonlight on snow-covered fields, you're not alone. Sleep troubles affect roughly one in three adults, and plenty of Vermonters have started wondering whether cannabis might help.
The honest answer? It's complicated. The research is genuinely mixed, and what works for some folks doesn't work for others. But there are some things worth knowing—real information that can help you make thoughtful decisions about whether cannabis belongs in your evening routine.
What the Research Actually Shows
Let's start with what we know. A 2025 study published in PLOS Mental Health followed insomnia patients using cannabis-based products over 18 months. The findings were encouraging: participants reported sustained improvements in sleep quality, reduced anxiety, and better overall wellbeing. Most side effects were mild—dry mouth, occasional fatigue—and nothing life-threatening.
But here's where it gets nuanced. A separate meta-analysis of over 1,000 patients found that cannabinoids improved subjective sleep quality, but the benefits were driven primarily by products containing THC, not CBD alone. Meanwhile, research from the University of Michigan found that about 18% of young adults use cannabis to fall asleep—yet the researchers cautioned that long-term, regular use may actually worsen sleep problems over time.
The takeaway isn't that cannabis doesn't work. It's that how you use it matters as much as whether you use it.
The Tolerance Question
This is the part most cannabis marketing conveniently skips over, so let's be direct about it.
When you use cannabis for sleep every night, your body adapts. The same dose that helped you drift off in November might feel less effective by February. This is tolerance, and it's a real consideration. Some researchers have found that daily users report more sleep problems than occasional users—and in some studies, more problems than people who don't use cannabis at all.
The implication isn't that you should never use cannabis for sleep. It's that using it thoughtfully—perhaps a few nights a week rather than every night—may preserve its effectiveness longer while letting your body maintain its natural sleep rhythms.
If you've been using cannabis nightly and decide to stop, you should know that withdrawal often includes a few nights of disrupted sleep and vivid dreams. This usually settles within a week or two. The dreams, some people find, are actually interesting after months of not remembering them.
Why Terpenes Matter More Than You Might Think
When people ask what cannabis varietal might help with sleep, they're usually thinking about THC content. But the terpenes—the aromatic compounds that give each varietal its distinctive smell—may matter just as much.
Myrcene is the one to know. It's the most abundant terpene in cannabis, with an earthy, slightly musky character. Research suggests it interacts with GABA receptors in the brain—the same system targeted by prescription sleep medications—promoting relaxation and extending sleep time. Cannabis varietals with more than 0.5% myrcene are often associated with that deep, body-heavy feeling some folks call "couch-lock."
Linalool, the terpene that gives lavender its calming reputation, shows up in some cannabis varietals too. It's been studied for its ability to reduce anxiety, which for many people is the real barrier to falling asleep in the first place.
At our farm, we've bred varietals with these profiles in mind. Living soil cultivation in Vermont's Connecticut River floodplain tends to produce plants with full, developed terpene profiles—something you don't always get from indoor grows under artificial lights. When you can smell a jar and actually identify those different notes, that's the terpenes talking.
A Word About CBN
You may have heard about cannabinol, or CBN, marketed as "the sleepy cannabinoid." The research here is genuinely promising. A 2024 study from the University of Sydney found that CBN increased both non-REM and REM sleep in controlled studies, with effects comparable to the prescription sleep medication zolpidem.
What's interesting about CBN is that it's formed naturally as THC ages. Older cannabis contains more of it, which may explain the folk wisdom that "aged cannabis" feels more sedating. Unlike THC, CBN doesn't appear to cause significant intoxication at typical doses.
Double-blind, placebo-controlled trials have found that 20mg of CBN reduced nighttime awakenings and overall sleep disturbance. That's solid evidence—the kind that actually holds up.
Practical Considerations for Vermont's Long Nights
If you're thinking about trying cannabis for sleep, here are some honest suggestions based on what the research supports:
Start low and go slow. This advice applies everywhere, but especially for sleep. A smaller dose in the evening is usually more effective than a large one that leaves you groggy the next morning. For edibles, 2.5 to 5mg of THC is a reasonable starting point.
Consider timing. Inhaled cannabis acts quickly and fades relatively fast—usually within 2-3 hours. Edibles take longer to kick in (often 60-90 minutes) but last much longer. If you're waking up at 3 AM, an edible might serve you better than flower.
Pay attention to what you're actually using. Ask about terpene profiles. Look for varietals high in myrcene or linalool if relaxation is your goal. Avoid anything described as "energizing" or "uplifting" in the evening—those characteristics come from terpenes like limonene and pinene, which are wonderful, just not at bedtime.
Don't rely on it every night. The research consistently suggests that occasional use preserves benefits better than daily use. If you're struggling with chronic insomnia, cannabis might be one tool among several rather than your only approach.
Be honest with yourself about what's working. After a few weeks, are you actually sleeping better? Waking up more rested? If the answer is no, that's useful information. Cannabis isn't a solution for everyone, and there's no shame in that.
When Cannabis Isn't the Answer
Some sleep problems have underlying causes that cannabis won't address. Sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, chronic pain, or anxiety disorders may all benefit more from medical attention than from anything you can buy at a dispensary. If you've been struggling with sleep for months, it's worth talking to a doctor—not instead of exploring cannabis, but in addition to it.
For what it's worth, the National Sleep Foundation notes that while 22 million American adults currently use cannabis for sleep, the organization still advises caution given the mixed evidence. That's not a reason to dismiss it; it's a reason to approach it thoughtfully.
The Vermont Context
We grow cannabis in Windsor, on a 29-acre farm where the Connecticut River floodplain meets the foothills of the Green Mountains. Our dispensary is set up like a farm stand—you can smell the jars before you choose, ask questions, take your time.
What we've found, talking with folks who come through our doors, is that many Vermonters are looking for exactly this kind of honest information. They're not looking for hype. They want to know what might actually help them get through these dark months with a bit more rest.
There's something fitting about that. Vermont has always been a place where people figure things out for themselves, ask their neighbors what worked, and approach new things with healthy skepticism. Cannabis for sleep isn't magic, but for some people, used thoughtfully, it's been genuinely helpful.
If you're curious, stop by. We're happy to talk through what we grow and why certain varietals might suit what you're looking for. No pressure, no sales pitch—just good information from folks who tend these plants every day and believe you deserve to know what you're choosing.
Research Sources
Primary Studies:
UK Medical Cannabis Registry study (PLOS Mental Health, Aug 2025): 18-month observational study showing sustained sleep improvements in insomnia patients using cannabis-based products
University of Michigan Monitoring the Future Panel Study (JAMA Pediatrics, Dec 2025): Found 18% of young adults use cannabis for sleep; researchers warned about tolerance development
Meta-analysis of 1,077 patients (Sleep Medicine Reviews, Aug 2025): Cannabinoids improved subjective sleep quality, particularly formulations containing THC
University of British Columbia systematic review (Sleep Medicine Reviews, Dec 2025): Analyzed 18 studies on cannabis and sleep architecture; noted mixed findings on objective sleep measures
CBN Research:
University of Sydney preclinical study (Neuropsychopharmacology, Nov 2024): First objective evidence that CBN increases both NREM and REM sleep, comparable to zolpidem
Placebo-controlled trial (Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology, 2024): 321 participants; 20mg CBN reduced nighttime awakenings and overall sleep disturbance
Terpene Research:
PMC review on myrcene (Molecules, 2021): Documented sedative and anxiolytic properties; noted sleep-prolonging effects in animal studies
Cannabis essential oil study: 5-minute inhalation improved nerve activity, relieved stress and anxiety in human subjects
Vermont Context:
Vermont Cannabis Control Board: Over 100 licensed recreational dispensaries as of 2025
Recreational sales began October 2022; market projected to reach $237 million by 2026
