S 276

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1S.276
2 Introduced by Senators White and Vyhovsky
3 Referred to Committee on
4 Date:
5 Subject: Cannabis; cannabis establishments; general provisions; regulation by
6local government; vote to permit licensed cannabis retailer
7 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to require any
8 municipality that has not held a vote to affirmatively permit the operation of
9 cannabis establishments within the municipality to vote on that question at the
10 2026 general election.
11    An act relating to requiring municipalities to hold a vote concerning the
12    operation of cannabis establishments
13 It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
14 Sec. 1. 7 V.S.A. § 863a is added to read:
15 § 863a. MUNICIPAL VOTE TO PERMIT OPERATION OF CANNABIS
16ESTABLISHMENTS
17    (a) At the 2026 general election, a city, town, or incorporated village that as
18 of July 1, 2026, has not voted on the question of whether to affirmatively
19 permit the operation of cannabis establishments within the municipality shall
                                                                   VT LEG #385793 v.1
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1 vote on the article contained in this section. A city, town, or incorporated
2 village shall vote on the article by Australian ballot.
3    (b) The warning for the election shall contain an article providing for a vote
4 upon the following question:
5    Shall licensed cannabis retailers be authorized to operate in this
6 municipality?
7    Yes ___ No ___
8    (c) A vote to permit the operation of a licensed cannabis retailer or
9 integrated licensee within the municipality may be rescinded pursuant to the
10 provisions of section 863 of this chapter.
11 Sec. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE
12    This act shall take effect on passage.
                                                                    VT LEG #385793 v.1