Burlington dispensary will pay for your fine if ticketed for public cannabis consumption
Violators face fines of up to $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second, and $500 for subsequent offenses.
In Burlington, the Bern Gallery has launched an initiative to pay fines for individuals cited for smoking cannabis in public. Despite the legalization of recreational cannabis over two years ago, public consumption remains prohibited. Violators face fines of up to $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second, and $500 for subsequent offenses.“We just think that that rule is kind of unnecessary and out of date, we believe New York got it right where you can smoke a joint anywhere you can smoke a cigarette,” said Paddy Donnelly of the Bern Gallery. Co-owner Jeff White criticized the current law as well and says it’s something they feel they can do to help the community they’ve been a part of for 20 years.“We believe that for such a small infringement, we can take care of that,” he said. The dispensary has yet to encounter anyone seeking reimbursement for a ticket. However, Donnelly noted that many supporters stop in and are surprised to learn about the public consumption fines and have praised the move as a way to bring attention to the issue.NBC5 reached out to the Burlington Police Department for data on ticket issuance, but received no response.The Bern Gallery will not pay for your ticket if you received it in a vehicle or on private property.
In Burlington, the Bern Gallery has launched an initiative to pay fines for individuals cited for smoking cannabis in public. Despite the legalization of recreational cannabis over two years ago, public consumption remains prohibited.
Violators face fines of up to $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second, and $500 for subsequent offenses.
“We just think that that rule is kind of unnecessary and out of date, we believe New York got it right where you can smoke a joint anywhere you can smoke a cigarette,” said Paddy Donnelly of the Bern Gallery.
Co-owner Jeff White criticized the current law as well and says it’s something they feel they can do to help the community they’ve been a part of for 20 years.
“We believe that for such a small infringement, we can take care of that,” he said.
The dispensary has yet to encounter anyone seeking reimbursement for a ticket. However, Donnelly noted that many supporters stop in and are surprised to learn about the public consumption fines and have praised the move as a way to bring attention to the issue.
NBC5 reached out to the Burlington Police Department for data on ticket issuance, but received no response.
The Bern Gallery will not pay for your ticket if you received it in a vehicle or on private property.
