Vermont Governor Signs Law Doubling Marijuana Possession and Purchase Limits, Allowing Cannabis Events
Vermont Governor Phil Scott has signed legislation into law that doubles the state’s adult-use marijuana possession and purchase limits while creating a new authorization process for cannabis events.
Senate Bill 278, sponsored by State Senator Kesha Ram Hinsdale (D), was signed by Scott on June 18 after receiving final approval from the Vermont Legislature late last month. Cosponsors include State Senators Alison Clarkson (D), Martine Gulick (D), Tanya Vyhovsky (D), Richard Westman (R) and Rebecca White (D).
Under the new law, adults 21 and older will be allowed to purchase up to two ounces of marijuana in a single retail transaction, doubling the current one-ounce limit. The measure also raises the personal possession limit from one ounce to two ounces, while increasing the legal limit for hashish from five grams to 10 grams.
The law also establishes a limited cannabis event authorization program. The Vermont Cannabis Control Board will be allowed to approve up to five public event authorizations and five private event authorizations per year. Each authorization will apply to a single event lasting no more than 24 hours at an access-controlled location.
Events cannot be held at locations where alcohol is sold or provided for on-site consumption. Sales will be limited to registered adult-use marijuana and marijuana products, with the Cannabis Control Board responsible for developing procedures for applications, security requirements, selection criteria and restrictions on event locations.
In addition, S.278 creates a framework for Vermont to eventually participate in interstate marijuana commerce if federal barriers are removed or relaxed.
The law authorizes the governor to negotiate agreements with other legal marijuana states, potentially allowing licensed Vermont businesses to conduct medical or commercial marijuana activity with licensed businesses in those states. Any agreement would need to address regulatory issues such as transportation, seed-to-sale tracking, testing, packaging, labeling, advertising, taxation and recalls.
However, the law does not immediately allow marijuana to be transported across state lines. An interstate agreement could take effect only under certain conditions, including a change in federal law, reduced federal enforcement, approval or tolerance from the U.S. Department of Justice, or a finding from the Vermont attorney general that the agreement would not create a significant legal risk for the state.
The measure also prevents municipalities from adopting ordinances or bylaws that ban marijuana establishments outright or regulate them in a way that has the same practical effect.
Most provisions of the new law take effect July 1, 2026. The cannabis event authorization program is scheduled to sunset on July 1, 2028, unless extended by lawmakers.