Editorial: Hemp Fest, Gratitude and the Months Ahead

We’d like to extend a deep and heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us for Hemp Fest at Burke Mountain last week.

When we first started hosting social gatherings and speaker panels two-and-a-half years ago, we weren’t sure who — if anyone — would show up at all. Soon, we learned that within the diverse community of individuals with an interest in Vermont, there was a common desire to get together in person, to meet each other in the light of day in order to share and swap information, talk pot, find solace and build community.

In January, legalization passed and changed the entire landscape of cannabis in Vermont. In May, we co-hosted the first Vermont Cannabis and Hemp Convention (VTCANN) with partners from Massachusetts and Vermont — thanks again to Tim at Vermont Cannabis Solutions and Nick at Greener Mountain Consulting and the 1200+ who came out.

Immediately after that ended, we decided we had to throw an event to commemorate the historic July 1st official start of legal weed. The next eight weeks were spent planning our second Vermont Hemp Fest at Burke Mountain, and now we’re in full planning mode for The Headies…

Heady Vermont isn’t a business in a conventional sense, it’s a social enterprise based on principles.

Heady Vermont isn’t a business in a conventional sense, it’s a social enterprise based on principles. We survive to serve our mission, readers, and members by delivering valuable services to the cannabis community in a number of different ways: publishing, over 20 events per year, political engagement and advocacy, a growing network of business partners, and individual membership and benefits.

As we’ve grown our small company, we’ve expanded our team from two founders working directly together and employing a small but dedicated part-time staff (shout out to Kathy and Kevin!)

Throughout all of this, we’ve worked hard to stay true to the founding principles: Vermonters deserve the best cannabis information possible delivered in a post-prohibition, informed mindset; to have places online and in real life to connect, collaborate, and educate each other; and to support cannabis reform that benefits Vermonters and provides opportunity for all.

We also want to make sure that when cannabis reform finally hits on a full-impact national scale, that Vermont and its community of cannabis producers are known across the country for their top-quality product. And when it finally hits, cannabis tourism can, and should, benefit small-scale producers and farmers throughout the state.

Again, deepest gratitude to all of you, and as summer turns golden and the days grow shorter, we wish you a happy harvest season!

Warmly,

Eli, Monica and the Heady Vermont Team

What’s ahead?

• More original reporting about crucial cannabis news in Vermont and beyond
• More information and representation in Montpelier
• More member events and membership perks
• More business partner benefits, including full-time political updates from Montpelier, workshops for growing your business, monthly Partner Mixers