Vermont: Cannabis bill heads to governor

The Vermont House and Senate have passed S. 278, which would make several changes to Vermont’s cannabis laws, including doubling cannabis possession limits, creating a cannabis events permit, and prohibiting landlords from banning cannabis possession and non-inhaled cannabis use. The bill now heads to Gov. Phil Scott (R).

If you live in Vermont, ask the governor to sign it into law.

Possession limits are now up to one ounce of cannabis or five grams of hashish. S. 278 would increase them to two ounces of cannabis or 10 grams of hashish. This would bring Vermont more in line with neighboring states and reduce the number of responsible adults who get caught up in the criminal justice system. 

The bill would also:

• Prohibit landlords from banning cannabis use and possession, other than by inhalation, unless federal law requires otherwise 
• Authorize the governor to enter into compacts with other states that have commercial cannabis markets
• Allow cannabis licensees to get events permits, where cannabis could be sold but not consumed. The total number allowed would be 10 – all in towns that opted in to sales
• Reduce fees for outdoor cultivators, in most cases by 50%
• Remove the tier 6 cultivation license (for up to 37,500 square feet)
• Make licensing for cannabis employees last two years, instead of one, and increase the cost from $50 to $100
• Remove references to integrated licensees
• Provide that business expenses can be deducted from state taxes