Vermont S 276: An act relating to requiring municipalities to hold a vote concerning the operation of cannabis establishments

Bill Text

BILL AS INTRODUCED S.276
2026 Page 1 of 2

VT LEG #385793 v.1
S.276 1
Introduced by Senators White and Vyhovsky 2
Referred to Committee on 3
Date: 4
Subject: Cannabis; cannabis establishments; general provisions; regulation by 5
local government; vote to permit licensed cannabis retailer 6
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require any 7
municipality that has not held a vote to affirmatively permit the operation of 8
cannabis establishments within the municipality to vote on that question at the 9
2026 general election. 10
An act relating to requiring municipalities to hold a vote concerning the 11
operation of cannabis establishments 12
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 13
Sec. 1. 7 V.S.A. § 863a is added to read: 14
§ 863a. MUNICIPAL VOTE TO PERMIT OPERATION OF CANNABIS 15
ESTABLISHMENTS 16
(a) At the 2026 general election, a city, town, or incorporated village that as 17
of July 1, 2026, has not voted on the question of whether to affirmatively 18
permit the operation of cannabis establishments within the municipality shall 19

BILL AS INTRODUCED S.276
2026 Page 2 of 2

VT LEG #385793 v.1
vote on the article contained in this section. A city, town, or incorporated 1
village shall vote on the article by Australian ballot. 2
(b) The warning for the election shall contain an article providing for a vote 3
upon the following question: 4
Shall licensed cannabis retailers be authorized to operate in this 5
municipality? 6
Yes ___ No ___ 7
(c) A vote to permit the operation of a licensed cannabis retailer or 8
integrated licensee within the municipality may be rescinded pursuant to the 9
provisions of section 863 of this chapter. 10
Sec. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE 11
This act shall take effect on passage. 12