Cannabis Retailers Association of Vermont (CRAV) – a nonprofit organization that represents Vermont cannabis retailers, growers, and manufacturers – is very busy this legislative session thanks to Vermont Bill S.278.
Vermont Bill S.278, introduced in January 2026, contains multiple subjects relating to Vermont’s cannabis industry, causing several CRAV members to make visits to Montpelier to meet with state legislatures.
“We have testified before some of the committees making these decisions and creating these Bills,” said Scott Sparks, CRAV’s Chairman of the Board and owner of Vermont Bud Barn in Brattleboro. “We went to promote what we feel are the best practices to keep the cannabis industry healthy in the state of Vermont as well as to discuss CRAV’s priorities and concerns and what the organization would like to see passed in regard to cannabis regulations.”
CRAV Advocacy
CRAV is advocating for several items that could help small business owners working in Vermont’s cannabis industry survive, thrive, and grow.
A few items on CRAV’s wish list include:
Ability for cannabis businesses to host events, such as live music, on premise, while allowing for public consumption of cannabis wherever tobacco use is allowed.
Sparks tied this objective to inequality and to loss of tourism dollars by citing the state law that cannabis can only be consumed legally in Vermont on private property owned by the consumer. Such a law affects renters and tourists – including short-term rentals, hotels, and Airbnb – who must receive written permission from their landlord or property owner before consuming or growing in their home.
“That puts a lot of people at a disadvantage, especially people of lower income who don’t own their own property,” Sparks said. “In addition to that, tourist technically would find it very difficult to consume cannabis legally in Vermont. By the letter of the law, tourists can’t come here, purchase cannabis, and go outside to smoke it.”
Legalization of cannabis bars at events, such as weddings, held in the state.
Sparks noted that with the declining use of alcohol, there’s been an increase in the number of people requesting cannabis bars at their Vermont events. However, due to state laws, this service is prohibited, causing the cannabis industry to leave money on the table.
Removal of THC potency limits on cannabis products in order to place the Vermont cannabis industry more in line with other states and the legacy market.
Sparks said Vermont has some of the strictest THC potency limits in the country. These limits are causing cannabis users to purchase cannabis products from other states or through the legacy market.
Sparks equated THC potency to 5% ABV beer versus 9% ABV beer, saying when the alcohol content is higher, people tend to drink less.
“It’s the nature of the beast,” Sparks said.
Reduction of advertising restrictions.
Sparks said CRAV would like the cannabis industry to be able to advertise without preapproval for every ad. He added CRAV would like to see the state allow more opportunities for advertising, explaining 802 Spirits, Vermont's state-controlled liquor retail system, can produce glossy flyers promoting alcohol sales while the cannabis industry is unable to do so.
Change cannabis product registration for cultivators and manufacturers from annually to every two years.
Sparks said CRAV is not opposed to the testing of cannabis products, but the organization cites the financial cost and time of registering products annually as unnecessarily adding costs to small businesses in the cannabis industry.
Overall, Sparks said he feels pretty positive about this year’s legislation as it relates to the cannabis industry, adding that CRAV knows the state has “more important, bigger problems” than regulating cannabis, but cannabis regulations are important to the small businesses owners in the industry.
“There’s lots of challenges and we would like to keep moving forward to make it stronger,” Sparks said, referring to the cannabis industry. “It’s challenging because not everyone supports what we are trying to do and we have to be able to have a place to express our point of view and let people understand that we are small business owners operating a legal business and we should be treated as such.”
Sparks said anytime CRAV has an opportunity to communicate with people who are making decisions affecting their businesses, they always take that opportunity.
“We are trying to work toward the greater good for everyone in the industry and all the other small business owners,” Sparks said.
CRAV MIXER
On Thursday, March 19, CRAV is hosting an industry mixer for members and potential members (the mixer is not open to the public) at Moog’s Place on Portland Street in Morrisville. The event runs from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Special guests include 2026 Lieutenant Governor candidate Ryan McLaren and the 2026 Vermont Cannabis Convention (VTCANN) organizer Eli Harrington. The atmosphere will be casual as both guests will start with an introduction of themselves before milling around the room for more pointed conversations.
CRAV CANNATRAIL
CRAV’s second annual CANNATRAIL PASSPORT map and passport books will be available in May at VTCANN in Burlington. The trail covers each corner of Vermont and includes 40 dispensaries, up from last year’s 23 dispensaries.
CannaTrail is designed to encourage people to explore and engage with Vermont’s cannabis industry and the small business owners who work hard to produce quality products. No purchase is necessary while visiting new and familiar dispensaries, but travelers should remember to get their passports stamped in order to receive a CannaTrail T-shirt and to earn bragging rights.
While cannabis retailers’ makeup about 60% of CRAV’s members, cultivators and manufacturers are welcome to join the organization that supports community, collaboration, leadership, education, advocacy, and market growth with integrity.
For more information, visit CRAV.