House committee reviews S.278 to expand municipal control and pilot cannabis event and delivery permits

The House Government Operations & Military Affairs committee on April 28 reviewed S.278, a Senate-passed bill that would change multiple aspects of Vermont's regulated cannabis market, including two-year pilot permits for commercial events and delivery, adjustments to transaction and packaging limits, and new procedures for municipal oversight.

Sen. Keesha Ron Hinsdale, Senate Economic Development reporter for S.278, told the committee the bill aims to create "market coherence" for Vermont retailers and protect local craft cannabis producers as federal and regional markets evolve. "S 2 78 represents the first economic development bill for cannabis," she said, arguing the changes would help Vermont businesses capture more of the market and give municipalities tools to regulate time, place and manner of sales.

Legislative counsel Tucker Anderson walked the committee section-by-section. He said S.278 does not change THC concentration caps (30% for flower; 60% for manufactured concentrates) but does increase transaction and possession limits: package THC limits rise from 100 mg to 200 mg, and the per-transaction and possession limits are increased from 1 ounce to 2 ounces (with hashish possession increasing from 5 grams to 10 grams). "This amendment on its own does not impact transaction or possession…