A Vermont House panel advanced a bill that would launch a commercial marijuana market by mid-2021, paving the way for potential new business opportunities for MJ entrepreneurs in an adult-use state that currently only allows home growing.
The measure, approved by House Government Operations Committee, faces another committee hurdle before potentially moving to the House floor where its prospects remain unclear.
The bill would regulate and tax marijuana at a 16% retail rate, with an additional 2% local tax for municipalities that decide to permit cannabis businesses.
Even if the state House approves the bill, Gov. Phil Scott, a Republican, has indicated he likely would veto the measure.
Vermont legalized recreational marijuana last year, but the current program only permits home cultivation and adult use, not sales.
