Vermont regulators issued the state’s first adult-use cannabis retail licenses this week ahead of an October 1 deadline for the market’s launch. The newly licensed businesses include FLŌRA Cannabis in Middlebury and Mountain Girl Cannabis in Rutland; additionally, the board has also permitted CeresMED in Burlington to transition from medical to recreational sales.
The new licensees can begin adult-use sales as soon as they have paid the license fees and conducted appropriate employee training, including recognizing the symptoms of over-consumption and substance use disorder. The companies may also need to acquire additional local licenses if so required by their municipality.
“Today’s license approvals mark a historic moment for Vermont that is decades in the making. We would not be here without the tireless dedication of cannabis advocates, the legislature, our agency partners, and most importantly the CCB staff.” — James Pepper, Chair of the Vermont Cannabis Control Board, in a press release
FLORA Cannabis co-owner Dave Silberman said in a VT Digger report that his store is aiming for a grand opening on October 1 but ultimately, the state’s retail launch will be likely muted given a series of licensing delays. Silberman predicted “a trickle” of store openings, at least in the beginning.
“There’s not going to be a lot of retailers ready,” he told VT Digger. “There’s not a ton of ready inventory right away and so it’s going to be rocky at the start.”
As of local elections held in March, nearly 50 Vermont towns — more than half the municipalities in the New England state — had opted into allowing adult-use cannabis sales. Businesses can only apply for a license once their local municipality has opted into the program.
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