summary
Introduced
01/21/2026
01/21/2026
In Committee
04/01/2026
04/01/2026
Crossed Over
03/27/2026
03/27/2026
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Session
Bill Summary
This bill proposes to eliminate the tetrahydrocannabinol concentration limit for cannabis flower and increase the tetrahydrocannabinol concentration limit for concentrate cannabis products to 70 percent. This bill also proposes to increase the transaction limit for retail sales to two ounces of cannabis or its equivalent in cannabis products per transaction. This bill also proposes to authorize the Cannabis Control Board to issue event permits, event administrator endorsements, delivery permits, and on-premises consumption permits. This bill also proposes to amend the statutes governing advertisement by cannabis establishments and to eliminate the requirement that advertisements be submitted to the Cannabis Control Board for review prior to dissemination. This bill also proposes to lower the cannabis excise tax from 14 percent to 10 percent. This bill also proposes to S.278 allow municipalities to condition the issuance of a permit on compliance with municipal ordinances and to require any municipality that has not held a vote concerning the authorization of cannabis establishments to vote on the question at the 2026 general election. This bill also proposes to expand the list of entities that may access grants from the Cannabis Business Development Fund and to appropriate $1,000,000.00 from the General Fund to the Cannabis Business Development Fund.
AI Summary
This bill proposes several changes to cannabis laws, including removing the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) concentration limit for cannabis flower while increasing it to 70% for cannabis concentrates, and raising the transaction limit for retail sales to two ounces of cannabis or its equivalent in cannabis products. It also authorizes the Cannabis Control Board (CCB) to issue event permits, delivery permits, and on-premises consumption permits, and modifies rules regarding advertising by cannabis establishments by removing the requirement for pre-dissemination review by the CCB. Furthermore, the bill reduces the cannabis excise tax from 14% to 10%, allows municipalities to condition permit issuance on compliance with local ordinances, and mandates that any municipality that has not yet voted on authorizing cannabis establishments must do so at the 2026 general election. Finally, it expands eligibility for grants from the Cannabis Business Development Fund and appropriates an additional $1,000,000.00 to this fund.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Government Affairs, Housing and Urban Affairs
Sponsors (6)
Kesha Ram Hinsdale (D)*,
Alison Clarkson (D),
Martine Gulick (D),
Tanya Vyhovsky (D),
Richard Westman (R),
Becca White (D),
Last Action
House Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs Hearing (10:00:00 5/13/2026 Room M106) (on 05/13/2026)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/S.278 |
| Fiscal Note - S.278 – An act relating to cannabis, As passed by the Senate | https://ljfo.vermont.gov/assets/Publications/2025-2026-Senate-Bills/S.278-Fiscal-Note-Senate-ID-404998.pdf |
| BillText | https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/S-0278/S-0278%20As%20passed%20by%20the%20Senate%20Official.pdf |
| Fiscal Note - S.278 – An act relating to cannabis, As recommended by the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Draft 1.1 | https://ljfo.vermont.gov/assets/Publications/2025-2026-Senate-Bills/S.278-Fiscal-Note-SAC-ID-404889.pdf |
| Fiscal Note - S.278 – An act relating to cannabis, As recommended by the Senate Committee on Economic Development, Housing, and General Affairs, Draft 3.2 | https://ljfo.vermont.gov/assets/Publications/2025-2026-Senate-Bills/S.278-Fiscal-Note-ID-404722.pdf |
| BillText | https://legislature.vermont.gov/Documents/2026/Docs/BILLS/S-0278/S-0278%20As%20Introduced.pdf |
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