Sales of cannabis for adult use start in Vermont.

by Hunter Dublin | October 11, 2022

Over the weekend, three businesses in Vermont began selling cannabis for adult use to the general public. On Saturday, the first day sales were permitted, Mountain Girl Cannabis in Rutland, FLRA Cannabis in Middlebury, and Ceres in Burlington all began retail sales.

The launch of adult-use sales in the state was a "very landmark for the state," and his company, according to Russ Todia, chief operating officer at Ceres, told MyNBC5 on Friday.

At least 70 communities in Vermont have decided to authorize retail cannabis sales overall. In the next weeks and months, additional applicants for adult-use licenses from across the state will receive their licenses.

In October 2020, state lawmakers approved the reforms after Governor Phil Scott (R) permitted the measure to take effect without his signature. In the state, marijuana was already acceptable for personal and medical usage.

New Hampshire is the only New England state without adult-use cannabis regulations after Rhode Island lawmakers adopted a plan to legalize adult-use cannabis sales earlier this year.

The Vermont Cannabis Control Board predicts in October 2021 that by 2025, the Green Mountain State's yearly spending on cannabis for adult use might amount to $225 million, or roughly $46 million in additional state taxes. In Vermont, adult-use cannabis products are subject to a 14% excise tax, but growers to retailers have no tax on sales. Municipalities are also permitted to charge a 6% tax on all purchases within their boundaries.