Lawmakers in Vermont have rejected a plan that would have allowed cannabis cultivators to sell directly to consumers, Vermont Public Radio reports. The plan, backed by Lt. Gov. John Rodgers, was criticized by lawmakers over concerns that it put the state in a role of promoting cannabis use.   

In an interview with VPR, state Rep. Jim Harrison (R) said the proposed pilot program would allow cannabis businesses to “literally take over” fairgrounds in the state, which he said would be “promoting cannabis, not controlling cannabis.” 

Lawmakers did pass legislation that included direct-to-consumer provisions without the program. The bill adds some technical changes to the state’s adult use law, such as requiring fingerprinting and background checks for anyone who seeks an industry ID; putting hemp products under the purview of the Cannabis Control Board; requiring “harvested on” and “packed on” dates for cannabis products; requirements that the board develop procedures for license changes and procedures for receivership of cannabis businesses in the event of death, disability, bankruptcy, or insolvency; and the creation of a new trim and harvest service license which carries a $500 fee.    

House Government Operations Chair Matt Birong (D) told VPR that while he supported the direct-to-consumer plan, other provisions in the bill “were important for just the structurally maintenance and dialing in the industry as a whole.” 

“So we took something instead of nothing,” he said.  

Rodgers, who is the only state-elected official in the U.S. who holds a cannabis cultivator license, had indicated support for the plan because, he says, retailers “can pick and choose who they want to deal with, and you’ve got a whole bunch of really good growers that don’t have enough market.” 

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