Last week, Gov. Phil Scott signed legislation that affects Vermont's retail cannabis industry. But the Vermont Cannabis Equity Coalition urged the governor to veto the bill because it says it failed to include any of its top priorities.
The coalition fears that the failure to address these issues will result in a sizable number of small growers going out of business — or returning to the illicit market to sell their products.
Vermont Public's Jenn Jarecki spoke with Senior Reporter Bob Kinzel about the debate in the Statehouse and concerns about the industry. This interview was produced for the ear. We highly recommend listening to the audio. We've also provided a transcript, which has been edited for length and clarity.
Jenn Jarecki: OK, Bob. So what is in this bill that the governor recently signed?
Bob Kinzel: Jenn, when the House passed this legislation, it was largely a housekeeping and administrative bill. But then the Senate added a pilot project to it, and this plan would have allowed small growers to sell their products at an offsite location — kind of like a farmers market setting. It would be done under the auspices of a licensed retailer, and there could be up to five of these events in the next year, overseen by the Cannabis Control Board. But the House rejected this approach.
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