“The Selectboard decided to wait for any major changes until there can be a floor discussion,” East Montpelier Town Clerk Rosie Laquerre said at a time when 75% of Vermont municipalities are trading in-person gatherings for pandemic-era ballots.
Fentanyl is far more expensive per gram than cannabis — and a grower gains nothing by killing their customers. It’s just bad business, don’t you think?
“There’s a lot more that can be done than just trying to pack a whole bunch of information on a tiny little label,” said James Pepper, chair of the Vermont Cannabis Control Board.
Equity is a consideration in who gets licenses to sell marijuana. The board wanted to prevent applicants from moving into economic opportunity zones just to get an advantage in getting licenses.
While the earliest date retail cannabis establishments can begin selling their products to the public is still more than a year away, many are getting ready to set up shop.
The governor signed several pieces of legislation Monday as the remaining few bills that have passed the House and Senate are clearing his desk this week.
In its first meeting last week, members of the board stressed that establishing a “diverse and equitable” cannabis market would be a priority.
Budget talks nearly stalled this week, but on Thursday the House and Senate struck a deal.
The legislation would establish a fund to provide loans and grants to help people of color and others who have been affected by previous marijuana laws open cannabis businesses.
Tuesday’s decision to allow retail marijuana sales came down to 31 votes.
The lawmakers are considering a loan fund to help people of color and others hurt by outmoded marijuana laws to launch businesses in the new retail marijuana system.
As of 9 p.m. Tuesday, at least 10 municipalities had approved retail cannabis shops on Town Meeting Day.
About 80% of the state’s municipalities are opting for Covid-19-safe elections this year.
Legislators worry that the slow pace in appointing Vermont’s Cannabis Control Board could delay the rollout of the state's marijuana market by eight to 12 months.
