Vermont Governor Phil Scott signed a new cannabis bill into law on Wednesday, introducing several modest changes to the state's marijuana regulations. While the legislation, known as H.321, aims to fine-tune aspects of the legal cannabis industry, many small growers argue it doesn't go far enough to address the serious challenges they're facing.
The bill includes a series of regulatory updates that state officials say will help smooth out operations in an industry that has struggled with growing pains since adult-use cannabis sales began three years ago. Among its provisions, H.321 clarifies that police have the authority to confiscate illegally cultivated marijuana, mandates clearer labeling that includes harvest and packaging dates, and establishes a new license category specifically for trimmers.
The legislation also lays out what happens to a cannabis business in the event that an owner dies or files for bankruptcy — a necessary but relatively procedural update. However, for Vermont's licensed cultivators, these changes do little to address the pressing issues of high regulatory costs, oversupply, and plummeting wholesale prices.
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