Vermont rejects plan for sales at cannabis-specific special events

Vermont lawmakers rejected a proposal that would have allowed consumers to purchase marijuana at cannabis-specific special events.

Under Bill H.321, consumers would have been able to talk with licensed growers and manufacturers to get a feel for their products and then be directed to an on-site retailer to purchase them.

“While we appreciate the event permit concept proposed in Bill H.321, it is of greater priority to the industry and its customers to ensure equity and parity across different license types by implementing direct-to-consumer sales for cultivators and manufacturers,” Geoffrey Pizzutillo, co-founder and executive director of the Vermont Growers Association, told MJBizDaily via email.

Growers wanted lawmakers to approve the program because limited shelf space makes it difficult for them to sell their products, according to Vermont Public.

Vermont has 402 cultivators vying for shelf space at 110 retailers across the state, according to the state’s Cannabis Control Board.

“It is unreasonable and inappropriate to expect producers to survive solely on wholesale sales, as they are compelled to forfeit half the value of their labor while intermediaries hold outside leverage,” Pizzutillo said.

“We can explore expanding sales options for retailers at a later time.”

The board stopped issuing licenses to new marijuana retailers last fall and extended the moratorium to growers in February, the Deven Days media outlet reported.