On Monday, Vermont Gov. Phil Scott signed a bill that seeks to improve social equity in the state’s fledgling marijuana market, and modify the rollout of legal pot sales, into law.
S.25 is act relating to miscellaneous cannabis regulation procedures and will establish a fund to help people of color and others affected by past cannabis laws open businesses in the new market.
Under a bill that became law last year, cannabis retail stores should be able to open up in Vermont as soon as October of 2022.
This year’s cannabis legislation charges state officials with designing a system of providing loans and grants to “social equity applicants,” or people who were disproportionately hurt by marijuana criminalization.
The legislation also introduces some advertising restrictions for marijuana businesses.