Essex Junction council votes to revoke local cannabis license renewal for Trichome VT

The Essex Junction City Council, acting as the local cannabis control commission, voted Nov. 12 to deny the local renewal of Trichome VT's tier‑1 outdoor cultivation license and to revoke the municipality's local cannabis license for that business.

City staff described a lengthy history of land‑use review and litigation and said a recent state court decision has given municipalities more authority to identify local zoning noncompliance. Regina, a city staff director, told the council a notice of violation had been issued and the development‑review board had found the use did not meet zoning; she summarized the staff recommendation "to deny the license renewal and revoke the local cannabis license for Trichome." The council heard clarifying questions about the interplay between state and local authority, including a councilor's observation that the state Cannabis Control Board had already approved a state license for the property.

Councilor Elaine, who spoke during the discussion, said municipalities remain at a disadvantage in the overall licensing process and asked that the council record its concerns for the state board to review. After the council declined to take additional public comment, a motion to deny and revoke the local license was made and seconded; the council adopted the motion by voice vote. The municipality will forward its decision and supporting materials to the Vermont Cannabis Control Commission, which holds the final state license and can act on the local referral.

The outcome is a municipal determination that the business does not meet local zoning as interpreted through the development‑review board's decision; it does not itself cancel the state license. The council and staff said they will provide the state Cannabis Control Commission with the record and await that body’s next steps.