PRIA Logo™
VermontH.3212025-2026 SessionHouseWALLET

An act relating to miscellaneous cannabis amendments

Sponsored By: Matthew J Birong (Democratic)

Signed by Governor

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 4 mixed.

Temporary permits keep businesses running

Beginning July 1, 2025, the Board may issue a time‑limited special permit to a qualified designee to operate a cannabis business or to possess, transport, or dispose of cannabis during incapacity, distress, licensing trouble, abrupt closure, or court action. The permit states its scope and start and end dates and is issued on Board letterhead. People who act within the permit are immune from civil and criminal liability for possession, transport, or transfer in Vermont. Courts can ask the Board to evaluate a person’s suitability for a special permit.

Unlawful cannabis can be seized

Beginning July 1, 2025, police can seize cannabis that is possessed unlawfully under state law or Board rules. The seized cannabis is subject to forfeiture. If you possess cannabis illegally, you can lose the product.

New tax risk in bulk asset sales

Beginning July 1, 2025, buyers of a business’s bulk assets must notify the Tax Commissioner in writing at least 10 days before taking possession or, if earlier, before payment. The notice must include sale details and whether the seller owes taxes. If you fail to notify or the State flags a claim, a first‑priority lien can attach to money or property, you cannot transfer back funds to the seller for the claimed amount, and you can become personally liable for the seller’s unpaid trust taxes.

New ID and background rules for cannabis workers

Beginning July 1, 2025, every owner, principal, and employee must get a Board ID card to work in cannabis. The Board runs fingerprint-based checks: state and FBI for employees, and Vermont, out-of-state, and FBI records for owners and principals. For good cause, the Board can issue a temporary work permit if processing is expected to take more than 12 days; the worker must be supervised by a current cardholder. ID cards expire in one year (or earlier if the business license expires for owners/principals). If official records are not available and you consent, the Board may accept a compliant third‑party background check. The Board also makes an agreement with the state crime center to access needed records.

Fairer licensing and tougher background checks

Beginning July 1, 2025, the Board must get fingerprint-based Vermont, out-of-state, and FBI criminal records for each license applicant, principal, and any natural person who controls an applicant. The Board may repeat checks for good cause. The Board’s rules cannot automatically disqualify people for nonviolent drug offenses and must focus on current public-safety risk. Credit scores cannot be used to deny a license.

New limits and labels for cultivators

Beginning July 1, 2025, propagation cultivators may grow no more than 3,500 square feet and may not grow mature plants to produce cannabis flower. They may sell clones and immature plants to licensees and hemp seeds that meet the federal hemp definition to licensees or the public. All cultivators must add clear labels showing producer name and number, strain/variety, total and per‑serving THC and CBD, produced/harvested/packed dates, and warnings. Packaging cannot be designed to appeal to people under 21.

Clear line between hemp and cannabis

Beginning July 1, 2025, hemp products must meet the federal THC limit and cannot have more than 0.3% total THC. Items over that limit or banned by Board rule are treated as cannabis and only licensed or registered people may possess them. The law also clarifies that cannabis products are not "other tobacco products," reducing overlap with tobacco rules.

Free Policy Watch

You just read the policy. Now see what it costs you.

Pick a topic. PRIA runs your household against live legislation and sends you a free personalized readout.

Pick a topic to get started

My TaxesMy HealthMy BudgetMy MoneyMy Freedom
Or tell us something more specific

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Matthew J Birong

    Democratic • House

Cosponsors

  • Lucy Boyden

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. House message: Governor approved bill on June 11, 2025

    6/13/2025Senate

  2. Signed by Governor on June 11, 2025

    6/11/2025House

  3. Delivered to the Governor on June 5, 2025

    6/5/2025House

  4. Senate Message: House proposal of amendment to Senate proposal of amendment concurred in

    5/30/2025House

  5. Rules suspended & messaged to House forthwith, on motion of Senator Baruth

    5/30/2025Senate

  6. House proposal of amendment to Senate proposal of amendment concurred in

    5/30/2025Senate

  7. House proposal of amendment to Senate proposal of amendment, text

    5/30/2025Senate

  8. Rules suspended & taken up for immediate consideration, on motion of Senator Baruth

    5/30/2025Senate

  9. House message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendment with proposal of amendment

    5/30/2025Senate

  10. Rules suspended and bill messaged forthwith to the Senate as moved by Rep. McCoy of Poultney

    5/30/2025House

  11. Senate proposal of amendment concurred in with further amendment thereto, as offered by Rep. Birong of Vergennes, as amended

    5/30/2025House

  12. Which was agreed to

    5/30/2025House

  13. Rep. Harrison of Chittenden moved to amend the amendment

    5/30/2025House

  14. Which was agreed to

    5/30/2025House

  15. Rep. Birong of Vergennes moved to suspend Rule 78 to permit reconsideration immediately

    5/30/2025House

  16. Senate proposal of amendment concurred in with further amendment thereto, as offered by Rep. Birong of Vergennes

    5/30/2025House

  17. Action Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment

    5/30/2025House

  18. Notice Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment

    5/29/2025House

  19. Senate Message: Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment

    5/28/2025House

  20. Rules suspended & messaged to House forthwith, on motion of Senator Baruth

    5/28/2025Senate

  21. Read 3rd time & passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment

    5/28/2025Senate

  22. Rules suspended & bill placed on all remaining stages of passage, on motion of Senator Baruth

    5/28/2025Senate

  23. 3rd reading ordered

    5/28/2025Senate

  24. Proposal of amendment by Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs, as amended, agreed to

    5/28/2025Senate

  25. Proposal of amendment by Committee on Economic Development, Housing and General Affairs amended as recommended by Committee on Finance

    5/28/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • As Enacted (ACT 56)

    6/18/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers

    6/3/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)

    6/3/2025

    PDF

  • Senate Proposal of Amendment

    5/29/2025

    PDF

  • Senate Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)

    5/29/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House

    3/26/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House (Unofficial)

    3/26/2025

    PDF

  • As Introduced

    2/24/2025

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation

Take It Personal

Get Your Personalized Policy View

Take the PRIA Score to see how policy affects your household, then upgrade to PRIA Full Coverage for year-round monitoring.

Already have an account? Sign in