BTV dispensary will pay for your fine if ticketed for public cannabis consumption
April 4, 2025
. SPECIFIC TERMS OF THE THREE YEAR AGREEMENT WILL BE RELEASED FOLLOWING APPROVAL. A BURLINGTON DISPENSARY WILL PAY YOURá TICKET IF YOU RECEIVE A FINE FOR SMOKING POT IN PUBLIC… SINCE IT’S TECHNICALLY ILLEGAL TO CONSUME OUT IN THE OPEN. THE BERN GALLERY OFF MAIN STREET THINKS THE POLICY IS OUTDATED AND SAYS THIS WILL BE STANDING OFFER UNTIL THE LAW CHANGES. NBC5 STEPHEN BIDDIX HAS MORE. 00;51;38;01 Jeff White, Bern Gallery <to walk down the street and smoke a joint seems like a very innocent thing to do.> IT’S BEEN 2 AND A HALF YEARS SINCE RECREATIONAL CANNABIS BECAME LEGAL IN VERMONT. IT WAS DECRIMINALIZED YEARS BEFORE THAT. ONE DISPENSARY SAYS IT’S PAST TIME TO CHANGE CONSUMPTION RULES. AND WILL PAY FOR YOUR TICKET IF CITED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT. 00;45;42;06 Paddy Donnelly, Bern Gallery <we just think that it’s far too rigid if someone’s taking a walk on the waterfront in their 30’s they should be able to smoke a joint it just feels like such and innocuous crime that we really shouldn’t be punishing it.> THAT’S BECAUSE RIGHT NOW IT’S ILLEGAL TO CONSUME CANNABIS IN PUBLIC. it’s only ALLOWED IN PLACES LIKE YOUR HOME, APARTMENT, OR PRIVATE PROPERTY YOU OWN. they think the rule IS HYPOCRITICAL AND BEHIND THE TIMES. A FIRST OFFENSE IS NO MORE THEN $100 A SECOND NO MORE $200 AND A THIRD AND ANY SUBSEQUENT OFFENSE THERE AFTER NO MORE THEN $500. 00;44;53;20 Paddy <we just think that that rule is kind of unnecessary and out of date now we believe new york got it right where you can smoke a joint anywhere you can smoke a cigarrette.> 00;51;49;24 Jeff <we believe that for such a small infringement we can take care of that for people we’ve been a part of this community for over 20 years.> but AFTER THREE WEEKS THEY SAY SO FAR NOBODY HAS BROUGHT A TICKET. 00;46;18;04 paddy <i would say it’s a little surprising we’ve definitely heard some people come in showing support and some folks didn’t even realize this was a law that you could get fined 100 dollars for smoking on the s
Burlington dispensary will pay for your fine if ticketed for public cannabis consumption
Violators face fines of up to $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second, and $500 for subsequent offenses.
In Burlington, the Bern Gallery has launched an initiative to pay fines for individuals cited for smoking cannabis in public. Despite the legalization of recreational cannabis over two years ago, public consumption remains prohibited. Violators face fines of up to $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second, and $500 for subsequent offenses.“We just think that that rule is kind of unnecessary and out of date, we believe New York got it right where you can smoke a joint anywhere you can smoke a cigarette,” said Paddy Donnelly of the Bern Gallery. Co-owner Jeff White criticized the current law as well and says it’s something they feel they can do to help the community they’ve been a part of for 20 years.“We believe that for such a small infringement, we can take care of that,” he said. The dispensary has yet to encounter anyone seeking reimbursement for a ticket. However, Donnelly noted that many supporters stop in and are surprised to learn about the public consumption fines and have praised the move as a way to bring attention to the issue.NBC5 reached out to the Burlington Police Department for data on ticket issuance, but received no response.The Bern Gallery will not pay for your ticket if you received it in a vehicle or on private property.
In Burlington, the Bern Gallery has launched an initiative to pay fines for individuals cited for smoking cannabis in public. Despite the legalization of recreational cannabis over two years ago, public consumption remains prohibited.
Violators face fines of up to $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second, and $500 for subsequent offenses.
“We just think that that rule is kind of unnecessary and out of date, we believe New York got it right where you can smoke a joint anywhere you can smoke a cigarette,” said Paddy Donnelly of the Bern Gallery.
Co-owner Jeff White criticized the current law as well and says it’s something they feel they can do to help the community they’ve been a part of for 20 years.
“We believe that for such a small infringement, we can take care of that,” he said.
The dispensary has yet to encounter anyone seeking reimbursement for a ticket. However, Donnelly noted that many supporters stop in and are surprised to learn about the public consumption fines and have praised the move as a way to bring attention to the issue.
NBC5 reached out to the Burlington Police Department for data on ticket issuance, but received no response.
The Bern Gallery will not pay for your ticket if you received it in a vehicle or on private property.
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