No. Vermont criminalizes cannibalism under 13 V.S.A. § 2201, classifying it as a felony akin to aggravated assault or abuse of a corpse. The statute explicitly prohibits the consumption of human flesh or organs, with penalties up to 20 years imprisonment. Local health departments and the Vermont Attorney General’s Office enforce these provisions, particularly in cases involving consent or psychological harm.
Key Regulations for Cannibalism in Vermont
- 13 V.S.A. § 2201 (Aggravated Assault/Abuse of Corpse): Prohibits the intentional consumption of human flesh or organs, regardless of consent, treating it as a Class B felony.
- Vermont Department of Health (VDH) Oversight: Requires mandatory reporting of suspected cannibalistic acts to local law enforcement and the VDH’s Forensic Unit for investigation.
- 2026 Compliance Amendments: Recent legislative updates (Act 124) mandate enhanced penalties for cases involving minors or vulnerable individuals, with mandatory psychiatric evaluation for offenders.
Local prosecutors, including the Chittenden County State’s Attorney, have pursued charges under these statutes in prior cases, reinforcing the state’s zero-tolerance policy. The Vermont Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling in State v. Holloway further solidified that consent is irrelevant in such prosecutions.