Vermont Cannabis Retail Local Opt-In and Licensing

Under 7 V.S.A. Chapter 33, the Cannabis Control Board issues licenses for cultivation, manufacturing, wholesale, testing, retail, and integrated cannabis operations. A municipality must vote to allow cannabis retailers or integrated licensees within its borders before any retail establishment may open. Once opted in, towns may adopt reasonable zoning standards on hours, signage, and location, but cannot impose requirements inconsistent with state licensing. Buffer distances from schools and operational rules such as security, packaging, and product testing are set by state rule and apply uniformly. Medical dispensaries operate under separate state licensing.

Operating without a state license, selling outside opt-in towns, or violating Board rules can result in license revocation, fines, and criminal penalties under 7 V.S.A. Chapter 33.