Four Vermont communities reject cannabis retail proposals
“The cannabis board strives for greater geographic distribution of these retail shops,” Pepper said. “But not in towns that don’t want them.”
On Town Meeting Day, voters in Hinesburg, Fairfax and Concord rejected proposals to opt-in to cannabis retail in their community. In Wilmington, where there are already two dispensaries, voters rejected adding any more. The decisions come as small business owners and the cannabis control board battle the challenges created by the limited options for sellers to open new cannabis businesses. Eddie Furci, owner of Winooski Organics, said when he opened up the shop in 2022, his was the only dispensary in Winooski. “You know, we figured it would be a good spot for retail,” Furci said. “There’s a lot of cars that pass by every day, and it’s a busy area.”And yet, today, Furci’s business is one of three you’ll find in a half-mile radius in the Onion City, one of which has moved in next door. “There’s going to be four in Winooski in the next few months,” he said. “There’s another that just opened in the circle. There’s another opening up on Main Street.” Furci said the increase in dispensaries within certain communities is a growing concern among Vermont cannabis retailers. “There might reach a point where it’s too saturated for sure,” he said. James Pepper, head of the Cannabis Control Board, already sees that point edging near. Pepper said it’s becoming an increasing challenge as towns vote against opting for cannabis retail. “The cannabis board strives for greater geographic distribution of these retail shops,” Pepper said. “But not in towns that don’t want them.”Since October, the board has decided to pause issuing new licenses to cannabis retailers. Pepper said that decision will stay in play for now while he encourages conversations around cannabis to continue. Meanwhile, Furci asks communities to listen to the small business owners looking to thrive in Vermont. “You know, we just want a legal way to continue doing our business and become more part of the community that way,” he said. “So I’d say just listen to what everyone has to say and be open.”
On Town Meeting Day, voters in Hinesburg, Fairfax and Concord rejected proposals to opt-in to cannabis retail in their community. In Wilmington, where there are already two dispensaries, voters rejected adding any more.
The decisions come as small business owners and the cannabis control board battle the challenges created by the limited options for sellers to open new cannabis businesses.
Eddie Furci, owner of Winooski Organics, said when he opened up the shop in 2022, his was the only dispensary in Winooski.
“You know, we figured it would be a good spot for retail,” Furci said. “There’s a lot of cars that pass by every day, and it’s a busy area.”
And yet, today, Furci’s business is one of three you’ll find in a half-mile radius in the Onion City, one of which has moved in next door.
“There’s going to be four in Winooski in the next few months,” he said. “There’s another that just opened in the circle. There’s another opening up on Main Street.”
Furci said the increase in dispensaries within certain communities is a growing concern among Vermont cannabis retailers.
“There might reach a point where it’s too saturated for sure,” he said.
James Pepper, head of the Cannabis Control Board, already sees that point edging near. Pepper said it’s becoming an increasing challenge as towns vote against opting for cannabis retail.
“The cannabis board strives for greater geographic distribution of these retail shops,” Pepper said. “But not in towns that don’t want them.”
Since October, the board has decided to pause issuing new licenses to cannabis retailers. Pepper said that decision will stay in play for now while he encourages conversations around cannabis to continue.
Meanwhile, Furci asks communities to listen to the small business owners looking to thrive in Vermont.
“You know, we just want a legal way to continue doing our business and become more part of the community that way,” he said. “So I’d say just listen to what everyone has to say and be open.”
