Vermont Medical Cannabis License Solutions

The Cannabis License Experts (or CLE) experienced team will help you to get your Vermont cannabis license faster and with an unmatched success rate. Having to repeat your Vermont Cannabis License application process will set your business back by months and significantly impact your earnings potential. Let us show you how we’ll help you on your path to a Vermont Cannabis License and much more by booking your free consultation today.

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Market Overview

Vermont is known for its beautiful rolling mountains, fall colours, and relatively low population. With very few Vermont cannabis licenses currently available and a low barrier to entry, Vermont is now the 11th state to legalize adult-use sales and the third to do so in New England. Vermont had already legalized cannabis in 2018 when Governor Phil Scott signed Act 86, allowing adults 21 and older to possess cannabis. The initial 5 dispensaries licensed under Vermont’s medical program will dominate the industry in Vermont and are allowed to apply for integrated facility licenses under the new adult use program. The Integrated Facility License will permit Vermont cannabis license holders to acquire, possess, cultivate, manufacture, transport, or dispense cannabis and will be licensed before applications are released for most other Vermont cannabis license types.

Given the limited Vermont cannabis licenses available with 40% of the market already being locked in by large operators, the next 2-5 years will determine how the Vermont cannabis industry evolves. Multistate operators Curaleaf and iAnthus Capital Holdings are poised to take advantage of a five-month head start in sales in the spring of 2022 backed by potentially large Vermont cannabis cultivation and processing facilities. Small producers and retailers are expected to follow thereafter. Small businesses and sole proprietorships are the heart of Vermont's economic culture. Given this overall community driven business environment, it is expected that the Vermont cannabis market within the state will reflect the same ‘Buy Local’ mentality.

Vermont’s Cannabis Control Board estimates that spending on recreational marijuana in Vermont could reach $225 million annually by 2025, which would translate to nearly $46 million in new state taxes. Vermont’s new recreational cannabis program is projected to generate roughly $250 million in annual sales by 2025.

Book a free consultation today to learn more about how Cannabis License Experts can assist you and your team on your path to domination within the Vermont cannabis market..

Vermont Cannabis Licensing Requirements, Timelines, and Selection Processes

Currently, only 5 Vermont cannabis licenses have been issued, which are vertically integrated dispensaries in Vermont that are specific to the state's medical program. As of June 25th, 2021 there were 4,767 patients enrolled with Vermont’s marijuana registry. Once the registered patient count reaches 7,000, the Vermont cannabis application period for a sixth medical dispensary will be announced. Vermont’s five existing vertically integrated medical cannabis licensees will gain first entry into the adult-use market in May 2022. Under the adult-use regulations (Title 7) there will be 6 Vermont cannabis license types available with a tiered system for cultivation, manufacturing and retail licensing. Only 5 integrated Vermont cannabis facility licenses will be issued to existing medical dispensary license holders in Vermont. It is anticipated that the state will start issuing Vermont cannabis licenses to Small growers (1,000-square-foot canopy) and Testing laboratories by May 1, 2022 with larger cultivators by June 1, 2022 and processors and wholesalers by Aug. 1, 2022. Vermont cannabis retail store licenses will be issued by Oct. 1, 2022.

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Hear from Our Successful Clients

Some of the World’s Largest Brands have Trusted CLE to Support their Cannabis Journey.

5 Star Google Reviews

Matthew Caton Yield Cannab

Canna License Experts, and their team were retained by our company to help us along the way with a retail canna license. Brian Wolf along with Kalpna Mistry and their team of experts were there the entire way through the process. Thanks again to Brian and Kalpna for all you support from our family at YIELD Cannab Co.

Lin Yan GMLL Pharma

We have contacted a few licensing company before I decided to contact with Canna licensing Experts. So far I think I have made the right choice and I am happy with the work they have done for us. The team answer questions promptly and never leave us alone. Not to mention their charge are reasonable comparing the similar type of consulting company and quality of their job.

Joseph Dow Dow Testing Labs

Brian and Kalpna at Cannabis License Experts were very pleasant, informative, and knowledgeable regarding licensing. They helped us fill out all the forms needed and guided us through the entire process. I am sure that without their guidance our application would still be in process, or have been dismissed because of some missing information.

Vermont Cannabis Market Financial Requirements

Common for most jurisdictions as a mandatory component of the Vermont cannabis application is the requirement for a minimum amount of liquid cash on hand. This is to ensure that Vermont cannabis applicants have the financial wherewithal from the licensing process through to the initial 2-5 years of operation. Initial Vermont cannabis application fees will be $2,500 (non-refundable); Licensing fee: $20,000 for the first year and $25,000 for later years; Registration identification card fee: $50 for each employee, financier, and owner of a dispensary. Additionally, in 2019, Vermont cannabis attempted to curb youth vaping by enacting a 92% tax on all vape products, including vaporizers, vape juice, and e-cigarettes.

Vermont Cannabis License Types

Vermont cannabis Cultivation (Tier based upon method and size)
Vermont cannabis Product Manufacturers (Tier system tbd)
Vermont cannabis Wholesalers
Vermont cannabis Retailers (Tier system tbd)
Vermont cannabis Integrated Facility (only available to existing medical dispensaries)
Vermont cannabis Testing Laboratories

Basic Demographic Information
Resources include the US Census Bureau, City-Data.com, and any additional relevant resources.
Total # of Counties	14
Total # of Cities	237 towns, 9 cities, 5 unincorporated towns and 4 gores
Population in 2019	42,819

City of Burlington

Median Age

$63

Medial Income

$360K

Median Home Price

$1780/Month

Fair Market Rent

Vermont Cannabis Business Climate

Many national organizations compile and publish state-level business climate rankings or “indexes.” These indexes are based on measures of state policies and other factors that are thought to affect the health of businesses and hence the economic prosperity of a state. These indexes tend to fall into two groups, those that consider the business climate in terms of productivity, including measures of the quality of life and human capital, and those that emphasize taxes, regulation, and other costs of doing business. At $31 billion, Vermont has the smallest economy in the U.S. While the five-year average unemployment rate of 4% was the fourth lowest among states, Vermont suffers from business costs which reflect 12% above the national average. Furthermore, the state’s economic outlook is relatively weak, projected to be the second worst in the U.S. over the next five years with income growth also expected to badly lag the rest of the country.

Real Estate & Zoning

Consideration for regional and local zoning with regard to allowed proximity to certain business types, schools, and other prohibited areas. Per Act 164 Retail Opt-In, there are over 250 municipalities in Vermont that must opt in to adult use retail cannabis. The law prohibits marijuana dispensaries from operating within 1,000 feet of a preexisting private or public school. They also can’t operate within 1,000 feet of any child care facility.

Date	Cannabis Information	License Types
April 1, 2022	Vermont Cannabis Applications can be accepted for	Integrated licenses, Small cultivators, and Testing laboratories.
May 1, 2022	Vermont Cannabis Licenses can be issued for	Integrated licenses, Small cultivators, and Testing laboratories. Applications for all cultivators can be accepted.
June 1, 2022	Vermont Cannabis Licenses for all cultivators can be issued.
July 1, 2022	Vermont Cannabis Applications can be accepted for	Product manufacturers and Wholesalers.
August 1, 2022	Vermont Cannabis Licenses can be issued for	Product manufacturers and Wholesalers.
September 1, 2022	Vermont Cannabis Applications can be accepted for	Retailers
October 1, 2022	Vermont Cannabis Licenses can be issued for	Retailers

One-Stop Business Solutions Provider

When you partner with CLE, you are able to leverage our proven knowledge and best industry resources to provide you a complete Cannabis Business Solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is commercial cannabis cultivation and processing?

Cannabis cultivation is the process of growing cannabis within a regulated environment for the consumption via a medical or adult-use cannabis program. Generally cultivation refers to the agricultural activities associated with the propagation and growing of cannabis. Cannabis processing is when you manufacture finished cannabis products, packaging of dried flowers or manufacture and package cannabis-based products (i.e. extracts, edibles, and topicals). To be able to produce cannabis and cannabis derived products commercially a specific license is required, requirements depend on the state in which you are locating this business.

What is Vermont’s licensing application timeline?

Vermont begins accepting applications for adult use cannabis businesses on April 1, 2022. Please see the below dates and license types for the application opening dates.

Integrated licenses, small cultivators, and testing labs. – Apr 1, 2022

All cultivations licenses – May 1, 2022

Product manufacturers and wholesalers – Jul 1, 2022

Retail – Sep 1, 2022

Can municipalities ban cannabis facilities from operating in their jurisdiction?

Local municipalities in Vermont can choose not to allow retail cannabis sales within their jurisdiction however they cannot ban any other facility type from locating and operating in their town. The license types that cannot be banned include: wholesaler, manufacturer, cultivator, and testing lab.

How do I qualify to be a social equity applicant?

Currently the Social Equity Subcommittee has provided recommendations for the criteria and inclusion of the social equity program. At this time the application criteria for social equity qualification has not been determined.

A few of the recommended criteria for eligibility include:

Lives in an Opportunity Zone
Qualifies as a minority
Previously impacted by cannabis related convictions

How do I obtain an integrated cannabis establishment license?

The integrated facility licenses, which are the only fully vertical licenses offered in Vermont, are reserved specifically for existing medical businesses. To get an understanding of qualifications for this license type as well as other license types, please book a free consultation with the Cannabis License Experts team.

Don't Know Where To Begin? Get Started Now

Applying for a cannabis license in Vermont and unsure where to start?

Beginning April 1st, 2022 Vermont will begin accepting Vermont cannabis applications for recreational cannabis businesses and will continue through October 2022. Cannabis License Experts can assist your team to achieve success during Vermont’s competitive application process.

In order to get started, reach out to one of our regulatory experts today to learn more about Cannabis Business Solutions.