MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont lawmakers are debating a new bill that would reshape the cannabis market for both distributors and consumers. The debate comes as students at the University of Vermont in Burlington marked the unofficial cannabis culture holiday on April 20.

Proposed legislation would increase how much cannabis someone can buy at one time from 1 ounce to 2 ounces.

Other updates include pilot programs for cannabis delivery direct to the consumer and one for special events, like a cash bar for alcohol at a wedding, but instead for marijuana.

James Pepper with the Vermont Cannabis Control Board said they wanted to reimagine the cannabis market and work to move people away from illegal purchases.

“This bill tries to capture more cannabis consumers, not create new ones, but capture more,” Pepper said. “What this allows our licensed cultivators to do is to interact with consumers directly, talk about their growing practices, let them know they are a small business.”

Bridget Conry with Lucky You said they’re excited about a potential lower excise tax and raising how much people can purchase at a time.

“Increase sales in a very competitive and new industry here, and it’ll help us compete against other states in terms of just sales here,” Conry said.

Health professionals had some reservations about the legislation when it was first introduced, since the state has seen an increase in people hospitalized for cannabis-related medical issues.

“We did have concerns with increasing the potency cap, and we’re really pleased that the Senate heard our feedback and decided not to increase that potency cap,” said Rebecca Bell of the Vermont Medical Society.

The Vermont Medical Society is still worried about raising the total amount of THC that goes into each package after seeing a rise in children accidentally eating them. The bill seeks to raise the amount from 100 milligrams to 200 milligrams.

“They think it’s candy, they think it’s a gummy, and we have seen children get pretty sick from this, even needing intensive care, even needing a ventilator,” Bell said.

Bell said she’s hoping that change can be made as the bill moves to the House.

Isaac Simon, a UVM student, said he prefers purchasing from dispensaries.

“Pretty strict about sticking to the dispensaries, making sure everything is safe, so I definitely prefer coming into a place like this,” Simon said.

The bill still needs to pass the House.