Vermont Cannabis Control Board Reaches Milestone – Over 100 Licenses Now Approved, 24 in Today’s Meeting

MONTPELIER – Today, the Vermont Cannabis Control Board noted that it had reached a major milestone, with more than 100 licenses now approved by the state’s cannabis regulatory body since it started doing so in May. The board tipped the scales with today’s 24 cultivation license approvals. 

“We are really cranking through outdoor and mixed applications,” Chair James Pepper said as the meeting kicked off. The board has completed its initial review of all tier one and, by the end of the day, tier 2 mixed cultivators. Next, he said, they’ll move onto indoor cultivator applications.

He also noted that many applications are still incomplete, and that those remaining incomplete have received an email noting areas that need to be addressed.

To date, 36 licenses have actually been issued. In today’s meeting, the six final prequalification applications were also approved, along with six social equity statuses.

In a very important packaging note, Board Member Kyle Harris said that rubber seals or plastic gaskets in lids, meant for shelf life and in some cases child resistance, are permitted and do not require a packaging waiver. This news should come as some relief for product makers and cultivators who have been scrambling to find affordable and sustainable solutions for their products.

More from the meeting below the list of the 24 cultivators approved today:

Boreas Ventures LLC
License Type, Tier: Outdoor Cultivator Tier 3
Location: Charlotte
Priority status: Social Equity

Kendawg’s Kingdom Cannabis
License Type, Tier: Outdoor Cultivator Tier 1 Small Cultivator
Location: Glover
Priority status: Standard

Tree Amigos
License Type, Tier: Mixed Cultivator Tier 1 Small Cultivator
Location: Lyndonville
Priority status: Social Equity

Fine Bud Farms, LLC
License Type, Tier: Outdoor Cultivator Tier 1 Small Cultivator
Location: Randolph
Priority status: Standard

One Love Cannabis Collective, LLC
License Type, Tier: Outdoor Cultivator Tier 1 Small Cultivator
Location: Strafford
Priority status: Standard

Meadow Creek Farm, LLC
License Type, Tier: Outdoor Cultivator Tier 1 Small Cultivator
Location: West Rutland
Priority status: Standard

Maple Maestro, LLC
License Type, Tier: Mixed Cultivator Tier 1 Small Cultivator
Location: Glover
Priority status: Social Equity

Arden’s Gardens
License Type, Tier: Outdoor Cultivator Tier 2
Location: Elmore
Priority status: Social Equity

Three Barn Farm Cannabis
License Type, Tier: Outdoor Cultivator Tier 1 Small Cultivator
Location: Bethel
Priority status: Standard

Business Name:- Bordertown Farm Apothecary
License Type, Tier: Outdoor Cultivator Tier 2
Location: Brattleboro
Priority status: Standard

802 Glue LLC
License Type, Tier: Mixed Cultivator Tier 1 Small Cultivator
Location: West Haven
Priority status: Standard

Fern’s Farm
License Type, Tier: Outdoor Cultivator Tier 2
Location: Cavendish
Priority status: Standard

Sweet Lou’s Farm LLC
License Type, Tier: Outdoor Cultivator Tier 2
Location: Saint Albans
Priority status: Standard

Sky High Cannabis
License Type, Tier: Mixed Cultivator Tier 1 Small Cultivator
Location: South Londonderry
Priority status: Social Equity

Uprising LLC
License Type, Tier: Outdoor Cultivator Tier 4
Location: Bridport
Priority status: Standard

Holland Cannabis LLC
Location: Holland
Priority status: Standard

Simpson Brook Farm LLC
License Type, Tier: Outdoor Cultivator Tier 2
Location: Waterford
Priority status: Standard

RootLand Cannabis LLC
License Type, Tier: Indoor Cultivator Tier 1 Small Cultivator
Location: Danby
Priority status: Standard

Green Mountain Synergy
License Type, Tier: Indoor Cultivator Tier 1 Small Cultivator
Location: Brandon
Priority status: Standard

Goat Ridge Cannabis LLC
License Type, Tier: Outdoor Cultivator Tier 1 Small Cultivator
Location: Vershire
Priority status: Standard
CC – MTPL 89 Main 3rd Fl Lg Conf

First Light Flowers
License Type, Tier: Outdoor Cultivator Tier 2
Location: Greensboro
Priority status: Standard

Pura Canna
License Type, Tier: Mixed Cultivator Tier 1 Small Cultivator
Location: Hinesburg
Priority status: Standard

Frank Farm LLC
License Type, Tier: Outdoor Cultivator Tier 2
Location: North Pownal
Priority status: Standard

Old Growth Organics LLC
License Type, Tier: Outdoor Cultivator Tier 2
Location: West Windsor
Priority status: Social Equity

Pepper took a moment to acknowledge that time was running out for outdoor cultivation licenses. “We’ve been fighting against the clock. We know that time is essentially up for this year,” he said. For the time being, Pepper noted, the board will proceed with its review of applications.

“But before we approve a license for a new outdoor or mixed tier cultivator we’ll be reaching out to you to make sure you still want to proceed, he said. “We don’t want you paying for services you’re not necessarily going to be using this year.”

Packaging Updates

Board member Kyle Harris took time during the meeting to address some exciting updates around packaging requirements and waivers. Given the amount of waiver requests the board has gotten around packaging compliance, the Board has put together examples of compliant packaging on its site and has said, as noted above, that rubber seals and gaskets in lids are acceptable and do not require a waiver.

“We want to just to give folks reassurance that certain products will not in effect be rooted out before we even start,” Harris said. He started off by giving examples of approved packaging waivers as shown on the site, which included glass dab applicator syringes, ceramic vape cartridges, and the inside lids of glass droppers.

“We’re trying to meet folks halfway and recognize that price points are what they are,” said Pepper. He noted that one of the hardships you have to demonstrate to get the packaging waiver is that there’s not an affordable accessible alternative available. 

Those still wishing to apply for a waiver after reviewing these exemptions may do so on the Control Board site. While not required for a request, providing a sample of applicant’s proposed packaging will expedite the Board’s review. Packaging waiver forms can be found here. 

Licensure Updates

24 cultivation licenses were approved in today’s meeting, along with six prequalification applications and six social equity statuses. 

Other Meeting Items:

• Outdoor cultivates seeking a waiver to the fencing requirement will have to get a site visit.
• A reminder that fencing is not a requirement for indoor, tier one outdoor or mixed tier cultivators.
• New Director of Compliance Cary Giguiere is ready to go and he’s already done three site visits.

Thanks for reading! 

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