Vermont Takes Step Towards Legal Cannabis Sales at Community Events
The Vermont Cannabis Control Board is poised to introduce cannabis event permits, allowing retailers to sell their products at sanctioned events such as concerts, farmers’ markets, and sporting events. The pilot program aims to bring more legal cannabis sales to the community, while ensuring responsible and safe consumption.
Ben Wilcox, a small grower and owner of Off Piste Farm in Sutton, is excited about the potential benefits of the permits. “It would be an extra channel for some of the retailers I work with, and mine is included, in what they bring,” he said. Wilcox believes that the permits could help small growers like himself by providing an additional outlet for their products.
Brook Granai, owner of Bushy Beard Dispensary in Burke, agrees that the permits could be a game-changer for small businesses. “To be able to set up at a festival or a wedding venue would be huge to getting our brand out there,” she said.
However, some experts argue that Vermont’s cannabis industry still lacks a crucial element: a clear framework for consumption. Eli Harrington with Green Bridge Consulting believes that the state needs to address where and when people can consume cannabis. “As the cannabis industry has become normalized, we’ve never addressed consumption, which is at the foundation of all of this,” he said.
Cannabis Control Board Chair James Pepper acknowledged the concerns, stating that the state has stopped short of rules around consumption due to safety concerns. “Hopefully, as these events roll out, even as they don’t explicitly include consumption, they can be done responsibly and safely,” he said.
The Cannabis Control Board is expected to give final approval for the permits at its meeting on October 23. If approved, the permits could bring a new level of legitimacy to the state’s cannabis industry and provide a much-needed boost to small businesses.
