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Cannabis in the Capitol: State House Press Conference and Education Fair

Heady Vermont Staff 18 Dec 2017
The 2nd Annual Cannabis in the Capitol on Wednesday, February 13 is presented by Heady Vermont and Greenbridge Consulting and is a full day of education and advocacy where Vermonters with an interest and stake in the future of the cannabis plant meet their representatives, share their feedback about ongoing legislation, and display their businesses and products at a free exhibition.

WHERE: We’ll be meeting at 10am in the Cafeteria on the third floor in the State House.

Click here for a floor map of the building.

SCHEDULE:

10:00am – Welcome, Legislative Update and Advocacy Best Practices

  • Cafeteria, Third Floor

11:00am – Meeting with Lt. Governor Zuckerman

  • Room 14+16, First Floor
  • Cafeteria, Third Floor if needed

11:30am – 12:30pm – Lunch with Representatives // Share Your Advocacy Story

  • Ideally lunch with your local representative(s). Schedule in advance on your own via email (see below for instructions)
  • Cafeteria, Third Floor

12:40pm – Press Conference with Cannabis Reform Advocates and Allies

  • Cedar Creek Room, Second Floor

1:00pm – Observe House Floor

  • House of Representatives Chamber, Second Floor

1:30pm – Guided State House Tour

  • Main Lobby, First Floor

3:00pm – Exhibitors begin setting up tables and booths for “Vermont Cannabis Exposition”

  • Cafeteria, Third Floor

4:00pm – 7:00pm – Vermont Cannabis Exposition open to representatives and to the public

  • Cafeteria, Third Floor

FAQ

Is this event open to everyone?

YES! This event is your chance to share your perspective and make an impact on cannabis reforms in Vermont. Whether your issue is hemp rules, medical cannabis, or a taxed-and-regulated adult use program, spending a full or half-day with us in Montpelier connecting with your representatives is the best way to support your own interests while also strengthening and supporting the larger cannabis community.

Do I need to RSVP?

NO — we’ll have a sign-in sheet for those who show up and would ask you to RSVP and share the event on Facebook here.

What do I wear?

The professional lobbyists and most representatives wear business attire; however, there is no dress code and since we’ll be walking around and talking quite a bit, you should be comfortable whatever you wear. There is a coat room where you can change footwear if you need.

How can I prepare?

Know who your representatives are! Search for your local House Representatives and State Senators here.

Introduce yourself to your representatives, and ask to learn about their positions on cannabis and the legislation presently being discussed.

Feel free to use the sample email below as a simple example of a way to introduce yourself, ask your representatives for their opinions, and to invite your representatives to participate in the Cannabis in the Capitol events.

Dear Representative(s),
My name is _____ and I’m a constituent who lives in _____ and I’m contacting you today in order to introduce myself and to learn about your position on a legal cannabis market and the legislation presently being discussed, including industrial hemp, medical cannabis, and the sales of taxed and regulated cannabis for adults over 21.
I will be visiting the State House on Wednesday, February 13 as part of a cannabis advocacy day and would invite you to dine with me in the Cafeteria between 11:45am – 12:30pm.
Our group will be identifying ourselves by wearing red buttons with cannabis leaves and hosting an advocacy workshop in the morning, a press conference at 12:45pm, and a Vermont Cannabis Exposition from 4-7pm in the cafeteria featuring 30 Vermont cannabis farms, product-makers, service-providers,
I look forward to learning about your perspective and I appreciate your time and consideration!
Respectfully,

If you’re a Heady Vermont member, keep an eye out for the upcoming edition of the Insider Update, watch video of House hemp testimony, read a full library of Senate testimony and draft bills here, read the results of Heady Vermont’s hemp rules-making survey and respond to the survey yourself.

Who will be exhibiting in the afternoon and evening?

  • Heady Vermont Media
  • CVD/SVW Dispensary
  • Vermont Patients Alliance (VPA) Dispensary
  • PhytoCare Vermont Dispensary
  • Northeast Processing Cultivation/Processing
  • Vermont Cannabis Nurses Association (VCNA) Consulting
  • Homegrown Consulting Consulting
  • Vermont Cannabis Solutions Professional Services
  • Humble Roots Horticulture Cultivation/Processing, Product
  • Aromed Aromatherapy Product, Retail Storefront
  • CannaBotanicals Product
  • Cannatrol Product
  • Sharon Grimes Accounting Professional Services
  • NEK Hemp Cultivation/Processing, Product
  • Luce Farm Product
  • Maple Plus Product
  • Vermont Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Political
  • CannaPlanners Professional Services
  • Stone Hut Consulting Consulting, Retail Storefront
  • My Kind of Jamaica Consulting
  • Ceres Retail Storefront, Product
  • Hemp Vermont Coop Cultivation/Processing
  • Nature’s Mysteries Product
  • Ropana Product, Cultivation/Processing
  • CBDelights Product
  • Willow Crossing Farm Cultivation/Processing

Food and Beverage

The State House Cafeteria is both excellent and affordable and accepts cash and debit/credit cards. There are vegetarian, vegan options, gluten-free options and a salad bar, grill, pizza, soup, and (non-medicated) baked goods. Chef Ray is a great host, please be sure to thank Ray and his friendly team and tip the cash register staff!

TRANSPORTATION

This information has been adapted from instructions sent out by Rural Vermont for one of their lobbying days. You can thank them by supporting their work here.

Bus

The Montpelier LINK Express Bus (#86) travels from Burlington to Montpelier during the weekdays, including Wednesday, February 13 and costs $4 cash for each trip. The first bus leaves Burlington at 6:05am and the last bus leaves Montpelier at 5:58pm.

Full schedule with stops.

Parking

Parking in Montpelier during the Legislative Session can be challenging! Please allow at least 15 minutes of extra time to get parked and walk to the State House.

Please note: Parking meters in the vicinity of the State House are only good for two hours, require quarters or a credit card (4 quarters=1 hour) and the city does ticket. You cannot “feed” your meter, you have to move your car after two hours – they chalk tires!

Here is a map with directions to the Statehouse and some additional parking suggestions:

  1. There is a large lot on State Street a block from the State House behind Christ Church (across from the Post Office) You can park there for 4 hours for $3 – you will need quarters or a credit card for the ticket machine. Check signs and make sure you park in the Public Lot and NOT the Capitol Plaza Lot.
  2. There is a large FREE parking lot that is behind the Dept. of Labor Building which is to the left off Memorial Drive as you come toward Montpelier from the I-89 exit. From this lot you can either walk 10 min to the State House along the bike path, crossing the river and walking up State Street and take a left on Gov. Aiken Ave to the State House OR you can catch the FREE Capital Shuttle Bus which picks up at the Dept. of Labor Parking Lot every 20 minutes or so from the Bus Shelter in the parking lot. You can check the Shuttle Schedule here.

NOTE: It takes 10-15 min to get to the State House on the Shuttle because its first stop after the DOL lot is up the hill at the National Life Building. Don’t be alarmed. It will eventually drop you off on the West side of the State House.

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