The following is a summary of S.278. Please reach out to Governor Scott as soon as possible to encourage him to sign this bill!
S.278, which started out as a pretty promising bill addressing many of our policy priorities, was changed so much in the Senate that by the time it came over to the House, while it had some things we liked, it threatened to do more harm than good overall.
The House changed it further, taking out delivery permits, restricting events to just 10 and requiring they be hosted by retailers, eliminating the 200mg package limit increase, and taking out the language giving towns more zoning authority over retail siting.
What ended up passing both chambers was a fairly modest bill that:
- Raises the purchase and possession limit from 1 to 2 ounces,
- Creates a limited “events permit” pilot program
- Up to 10 permits per year
- Only retailers can get a permit
- $500 fee to apply
- Grants the CCB civil enforcement authority to collect the fines they levy
- Increases the time period of employee licenses from 1 to 2 years
- Allows (does not require) the CCB to extend product registrations beyond 1 year for products they determine are low risk and shelf stable – fully discretionary
- Explicitly authorizes cultivator co-ops (which were already allowed, this might make it a little easier)
- Gives the Governor authority to enter into interstate compacts if it later becomes federally legal for cannabis to cross state lines
- Prohibits residential landlords from banning tenants from consuming edibles (landlords can still ban consumption via inhalation)
- Sets the stage for potential reduction of outdoor cultivation fees for renewals filed after July 1, 2027, but this could be (IMO quite likely to be) reversed next year if that money is needed elsewhere.
Thank you to Vermont Cannabis Action Fund for compiling this summary.
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