1 00:00:02,879 --> 00:00:09,760 You're up and running. You may have pushed me through some of 2 00:00:06,640 --> 00:00:13,759 this. Uh, good evening. Welcome to the Chester Local Cannabis Control 3 00:00:12,240 --> 00:00:19,520 Commission >> meeting. Um, we have a few things on our 4 00:00:17,039 --> 00:00:26,160 agenda. Julie might let me see the copy of it. Um, the last time we met was a 5 00:00:23,039 --> 00:00:30,720 year ago, a little over a year ago. Um and so we are 6 00:00:28,720 --> 00:00:37,600 uh and so no no actions have been taken in the meantime. Um but we have to 7 00:00:33,520 --> 00:00:43,520 reorganize again. So um depending on how rigid we need to be uh the three of us 8 00:00:40,480 --> 00:00:50,320 do represent the officers anyways as they stood a year ago. Um so are do 9 00:00:47,760 --> 00:00:55,440 you guys I'm I'm open to us continuing in those roles. Um, do we want to go 10 00:00:53,199 --> 00:00:57,600 through each step of the way or you do need you? So, somebody needs to 11 00:00:56,800 --> 00:01:02,719 nominate. >> Oh, sure. 12 00:00:59,280 --> 00:01:08,080 » Nominate you as chair. >> I second that nomination. 13 00:01:05,519 --> 00:01:11,680 » Great. Uh, I accept the nomination. All those in favor of Ariana Knapp as chair 14 00:01:10,479 --> 00:01:15,439 say I. >> I. 15 00:01:13,119 --> 00:01:19,119 » All those opposed. Great. I will continue on as the chair. I nominate Tom 16 00:01:17,759 --> 00:01:23,040 as the vice chair. >> I second. 17 00:01:21,119 --> 00:01:26,000 Great. All those in favor of Tom serving as our vice chair on this commission say 18 00:01:24,880 --> 00:01:30,880 I. >> I. Any opposed? 19 00:01:29,040 --> 00:01:34,960 Great. Tom will continue as our vice chair. 20 00:01:31,680 --> 00:01:39,600 » I nominate you as the secretary. That's the third role as the secretary. 21 00:01:38,079 --> 00:01:42,079 » I second that. >> Great. All those in favor say I. 22 00:01:41,600 --> 00:01:47,439 » I. >> I. 23 00:01:43,920 --> 00:01:51,600 » Great. Okay. Perfect. Uh thank you for your service, your ongoing service, and 24 00:01:50,696 --> 00:01:57,200 [clears throat] um now we can move on to the next uh 25 00:01:54,159 --> 00:02:01,680 item on the agenda. We do technically need to approve the minutes from August 26 00:01:59,280 --> 00:02:06,719 12th. Julie sent those to us a while ago. Thank you, Julie. 27 00:02:04,799 --> 00:02:11,680 Um I have no comments, notes, or changes. 28 00:02:10,080 --> 00:02:16,480 Did any of you guys see anything that you wanted to have addressed on the 29 00:02:14,080 --> 00:02:20,640 minutes from last year? >> They look good to me. 30 00:02:18,400 --> 00:02:23,599 » Great. Um, all those in favor of approving the previous minutes say I. 31 00:02:22,879 --> 00:02:26,400 » I. >> Are we going to say that Tom made the 32 00:02:24,959 --> 00:02:30,440 motion and Charles seconded it? >> Yes, we are. 33 00:02:27,040 --> 00:02:30,440 » That's what I heard. 34 00:02:31,120 --> 00:02:36,959 » Thank you, Julie. >> Um, 35 00:02:35,120 --> 00:02:41,200 uh, now we would go to citizens comments. Is 36 00:02:39,200 --> 00:02:47,200 there and Andy, you're separate on the agenda. So, are there any citizens 37 00:02:43,519 --> 00:02:53,280 comments? Has anybody joined us on Zoom? >> Okay. Um, so I'm going to assume there 38 00:02:49,360 --> 00:02:59,440 are not citizens comments. Um, then I'm going to invite Andy to update us on the 39 00:02:56,879 --> 00:03:04,560 industry and on a little bit on down to the roots here in Chester and how things 40 00:03:00,959 --> 00:03:08,879 have gone in the last year. Um, and I'm just going to skip ahead so we 41 00:03:06,879 --> 00:03:12,560 know after we hear from Andy, we're going to talk a little bit about the 42 00:03:10,959 --> 00:03:16,720 nature of this board and what we may or may not be doing in the next year. So, 43 00:03:14,640 --> 00:03:21,920 as Andy updates us, listen to the things she can share with us about what Mielier 44 00:03:19,200 --> 00:03:27,360 is doing or not doing um, as we consider what our role might be. Uh, 45 00:03:25,920 --> 00:03:30,080 » and I think that's it. Do you want to you can stay right where you are. You 46 00:03:28,640 --> 00:03:33,120 can pull the seat up to the table like the dinner table. Sure, that would be 47 00:03:32,640 --> 00:03:37,280 lovely. >> Andy, what is your last name again? 48 00:03:34,560 --> 00:03:41,280 » Goldman. G O L D M. >> See, I didn't say it because I couldn't 49 00:03:38,720 --> 00:03:48,239 remember the Goldman. >> All Yeah. Yep. Yep. All good. Um, great. 50 00:03:45,920 --> 00:03:51,680 Well, thank you for this opportunity. Um, 51 00:03:50,080 --> 00:03:56,640 want to give you a little of the state of the industry starting in numbers uh 52 00:03:54,239 --> 00:04:02,159 for Vermont. And I'm talking about the legal adult use industry, not the 53 00:03:59,280 --> 00:04:09,599 medical, which is separate. Um, today there are 541 total licenses of all 54 00:04:06,159 --> 00:04:18,959 types. Um, that is down from a high of 629 back in March of 2025. 55 00:04:14,560 --> 00:04:25,040 Today, there are 110 retail licenses, 94 manufacturers, 56 00:04:21,199 --> 00:04:29,040 and 321 growers. of the retail like there's that many licenses. Do we have 57 00:04:27,520 --> 00:04:31,120 any backup on how many of those are actually operating? 58 00:04:30,400 --> 00:04:37,199 » Sure. >> Thank you for asking that. Uh about a 59 00:04:33,120 --> 00:04:42,320 hundred are and I can tell that from um because I look at tax filings to get 60 00:04:40,720 --> 00:04:43,440 the numbers that I'm about to give to you. 61 00:04:42,560 --> 00:04:49,199 » Oh, great. >> Um 62 00:04:45,199 --> 00:04:54,960 uh good question. Um in so since inception of the adult industry use 63 00:04:51,919 --> 00:05:00,720 industry in in in Vermont which started in October of 22 almost there's been 64 00:04:57,600 --> 00:05:08,160 almost 500 million in sales aggregate sales and we have a 20% tax 14% is 65 00:05:05,120 --> 00:05:12,080 excise tax for cannabis the 6% sales tax. So with that, the state of Vermont 66 00:05:10,479 --> 00:05:17,759 has actually collected a hundred million almost hundred million dollars from our 67 00:05:14,320 --> 00:05:22,400 industry um since we started. >> Um those are numbers you should know 68 00:05:20,560 --> 00:05:30,160 that would still consist of being a small state compared to other states. Um 69 00:05:27,120 --> 00:05:36,000 in just 2025, um I'm talk since it's the last full 70 00:05:32,160 --> 00:05:42,960 year. Um there were about $148 million in adult use sales. that represented a 71 00:05:39,120 --> 00:05:47,840 7% increase over the prior year. Um before that there was a 28% increase. Um 72 00:05:46,080 --> 00:05:55,919 and then before that I think we had just started so it doesn't 73 00:05:50,880 --> 00:06:03,280 not not relevant or the data. Um however with that 7% increase in sales it was 74 00:05:58,800 --> 00:06:11,039 accompanied by a 13% increase in operating dispensaries. So unfortunately 75 00:06:07,360 --> 00:06:17,039 the market is growing by cannibalizing existing dispensaries 76 00:06:13,440 --> 00:06:22,560 and that's a problem. Um the Vermont industry overall 77 00:06:20,160 --> 00:06:28,800 we are now considered a mature state. We've been open for more than three 78 00:06:24,400 --> 00:06:32,720 years. Um unlike let's say New York. Um so we you know when you first open 79 00:06:30,960 --> 00:06:39,919 everybody does really well. there's just a few of you and then things start to 80 00:06:35,039 --> 00:06:45,919 stabilize. Um both Vermont as well as most other states except for and there's 81 00:06:42,240 --> 00:06:52,319 24 adult use license adult use states legal uh in the US today. Most of them 82 00:06:49,600 --> 00:06:56,560 do not have they're not limited license states meaning that there's a cap on how 83 00:06:54,880 --> 00:07:03,759 many licenses that could be offered of each type. And that's unfortunate 84 00:06:59,599 --> 00:07:10,319 um because Vermont and many other states have just issued too many licenses, 85 00:07:06,639 --> 00:07:15,280 way too many licenses. Um unlike dispensaries serving more 86 00:07:12,400 --> 00:07:20,319 populous areas, specifically Burlington, um and that whole area, most of us are 87 00:07:17,599 --> 00:07:26,880 just trying to survive dayto-day um and pay rent and make payroll. Um, 88 00:07:23,520 --> 00:07:31,199 and I don't mind saying that we are constantly still putting in personal 89 00:07:29,199 --> 00:07:36,720 monies into our business. It's a problem. Um, it's become apparent that a 90 00:07:34,560 --> 00:07:40,960 single standalone rural dispensary 91 00:07:38,880 --> 00:07:49,680 does not it's not a good business model in Vermont. Um, it's how the the 92 00:07:45,520 --> 00:07:54,240 industry was specifically set up. It's in my opinion kind of like how we're 93 00:07:51,759 --> 00:08:01,120 tacked for educational taxes. Really well intended, really bad consequences. 94 00:07:58,080 --> 00:08:06,160 So in most states, if you get a retail license, you can have up to three 95 00:08:03,599 --> 00:08:10,800 dispensaries. In Vermont, it was specifically made one. Other states, 96 00:08:08,720 --> 00:08:13,599 sometimes there's two. But the point is, when you have more than one, you can get 97 00:08:12,160 --> 00:08:18,400 economies of scale when you're purchasing or doing anything behind the 98 00:08:15,840 --> 00:08:26,720 scenes. spread your fixed costs. You cannot in Vermont. Um, and unfortunately 99 00:08:23,680 --> 00:08:33,120 the CCB operates out of Montpielar and Burlington. There are there are too many 100 00:08:30,000 --> 00:08:38,399 there also, but people are have some nice dispensaries and are surviving and 101 00:08:35,519 --> 00:08:44,240 making money. The rest of us are not. Um, and it's a struggle to get the CCB 102 00:08:42,159 --> 00:08:49,279 to deal with that. Um, there are some 103 00:08:47,440 --> 00:08:52,800 statistics about Vermont that might be helpful for you and I've given it to 104 00:08:51,120 --> 00:08:59,760 them over and over again and I'll just keep doing it. Um, according to the 2023 105 00:08:56,800 --> 00:09:04,640 census, they did an analysis there, 84% of the towns or 106 00:09:02,880 --> 00:09:11,600 municipalities, I guess towns, we'll call them, um, in Vermont are less than 107 00:09:08,399 --> 00:09:19,519 4,000 in population. 64% are less than 2,000. 108 00:09:15,600 --> 00:09:25,360 32% are less than a thousand. We still have a CCB board member who's 109 00:09:23,200 --> 00:09:32,640 advocating for two dispensaries in every town. We have, I believe, about 274 110 00:09:28,959 --> 00:09:39,279 towns. That would be, you do the math, >> u more than 500 dispensaries in a state 111 00:09:36,160 --> 00:09:46,640 of 650,000 people. Um the reason I know this is because 112 00:09:43,200 --> 00:09:50,959 we are in a moratorum right now of new licenses for dispensaries because there 113 00:09:49,519 --> 00:09:55,040 are too many. >> Um 114 00:09:51,839 --> 00:10:00,160 » so Montpillar did respond to the or >> Montpillar almost was forced by our 115 00:09:57,920 --> 00:10:05,360 legislators who we complained to and said you're killing the industry. Um, 116 00:10:02,959 --> 00:10:12,080 and let's go back to almost $und00 million, you know, in tax revenues for 117 00:10:08,399 --> 00:10:18,000 the state defers all our property taxes. Um, you'd be killing the golden goose. 118 00:10:15,440 --> 00:10:24,399 Um, and we could be a more of a golden goose, but unfortunately, 119 00:10:20,640 --> 00:10:30,399 um, the illicit market just thrives in Vermont. We were a legacy state. I could 120 00:10:27,040 --> 00:10:34,079 understand why. However, and I approach this with the CCB, on the one hand, they 121 00:10:32,560 --> 00:10:39,360 think, well, that's not our business. It's like, well, no, yes it is. Um, but 122 00:10:37,680 --> 00:10:43,839 unfortunately, according to the chairman of the CCB, 123 00:10:41,760 --> 00:10:52,240 who I speak with one-on-one, I speak to all the CCB members, um, uh, law 124 00:10:48,240 --> 00:10:56,880 enforcement in in Vermont, just has thrown up their hands and says, "Well, 125 00:10:53,519 --> 00:11:03,440 now it's legal." like, no, it's legal for legal dispensaries. It's legal for 126 00:11:00,240 --> 00:11:10,160 someone like us who we have to pay $10,000 a year. 10,100 because 100 goes 127 00:11:07,120 --> 00:11:15,839 to you. um for the right to sell cannabis legally, for the right to have 128 00:11:13,279 --> 00:11:21,040 so many laws, so many restrictions, advertising, 129 00:11:17,680 --> 00:11:26,560 um you know, can't ship through mail, um can't deliver, um you know, we have to 130 00:11:24,880 --> 00:11:32,160 get people into our brickandmortar store. Um you don't have that in others. 131 00:11:29,920 --> 00:11:35,600 People have we've had growers say, "Oh, we're a free market. It's like an 132 00:11:33,839 --> 00:11:40,399 automobile um dealership." It's like, no, you can 133 00:11:37,920 --> 00:11:45,600 have an automobile dealership in every single town legally. You, as the owner, 134 00:11:43,360 --> 00:11:50,320 I'm only allowed to have one. You can have economies of scale. You can even 135 00:11:47,680 --> 00:11:56,399 ship cars across state lines. We can't. You could take orders online. You can 136 00:11:52,560 --> 00:12:02,560 It's It's that we that the CCB even engages in conversations. I think I've 137 00:11:58,959 --> 00:12:08,959 shut that down by now by I do a lot of public comments at their monthly CCB 138 00:12:05,680 --> 00:12:13,360 meetings. Um I I don't think we'll be hearing too much of that, but they 139 00:12:10,560 --> 00:12:18,800 allowed a lot of talk of that during a retail sighting workshop because they 140 00:12:15,839 --> 00:12:25,519 have to now develop laws uh excuse me rules. Um 7VSA 33881A5F. 141 00:12:24,079 --> 00:12:27,920 Don't expect you to write that down. >> It's recording. I'm not 142 00:12:26,720 --> 00:12:32,880 » excellent. [laughter] states that the CCB must adopt rules 143 00:12:30,320 --> 00:12:38,880 concerning retailers, which include location or sighting requirements that 144 00:12:36,000 --> 00:12:46,959 increase the geographic distribution of new cannabis retail establishments based 145 00:12:41,920 --> 00:12:51,279 on population and market need. The CCB has failed tremendously about market 146 00:12:49,200 --> 00:12:55,600 need. As I mentioned, we're in a current 147 00:12:52,639 --> 00:12:59,200 moratorum for new locations. until they get these rules done and they have 148 00:12:57,200 --> 00:13:03,040 started workshops and that's where we wasted all this time about that we're a 149 00:13:01,120 --> 00:13:08,079 free market. The growers are trying to say this and it is it is the absolute 150 00:13:06,240 --> 00:13:13,600 opposite of the definition of a free market. A free market is supply and 151 00:13:10,160 --> 00:13:19,360 demand and the lack of of um government intervention. This is full government 152 00:13:15,839 --> 00:13:22,800 intervention. Um, do the growers 153 00:13:20,079 --> 00:13:25,920 » y >> want more dispensaries because that 154 00:13:24,320 --> 00:13:29,279 gives them more customers? Is there is there a is there a animosity between the 155 00:13:27,920 --> 00:13:32,639 growers and the retailers because the growers want unlimited retailers because 156 00:13:30,959 --> 00:13:33,760 they can just keep selling? >> Yes. 157 00:13:33,200 --> 00:13:35,120 » Okay. >> Yes, to both. 158 00:13:34,800 --> 00:13:42,079 » Great. >> So, let me and let me go further. They 159 00:13:38,079 --> 00:13:48,800 want more retailers. They also want and the Senate passed this year. Thank 160 00:13:45,360 --> 00:13:53,839 goodness the house didn't. The ability to sell directly and deliver directly to 161 00:13:52,000 --> 00:13:59,440 customers, growers and manufacturers, but not 162 00:13:56,800 --> 00:14:03,199 retailers. They don't want to pay $10,000 for the 163 00:14:01,440 --> 00:14:06,480 right to sell. They don't want a brickandmortar business. 164 00:14:04,160 --> 00:14:09,440 » That's like a tasting at a brewer to again to go back to alcohol at a brewery 165 00:14:08,160 --> 00:14:12,240 where they can have a tasting room and sell direct to customers instead of 166 00:14:10,800 --> 00:14:16,320 having to distribute. Well, that would at least that would at least require 167 00:14:14,320 --> 00:14:17,760 brick and mortar. They want they wanted delivery. 168 00:14:16,880 --> 00:14:22,880 » That's correct. >> Now, no other state has done this. 169 00:14:20,480 --> 00:14:28,959 There's out of 24 states I have a whole I did a whole study in a whole grid and 170 00:14:24,720 --> 00:14:32,880 handed in as legislative testimony. Um, not a single one has done this for 171 00:14:31,120 --> 00:14:38,399 obvious reasons. And anytime you've had delivery, it's by retailers cuz we're 172 00:14:36,399 --> 00:14:43,760 the ones that have paid all this money and have the POSOS system 173 00:14:40,959 --> 00:14:49,360 » to handle all of this to h, you know, growing is very very different from 174 00:14:45,600 --> 00:14:58,399 retail and what you need to do. Um um but worse because of the preference 175 00:14:54,320 --> 00:15:03,680 by law for small growers, the um they were going to give they 176 00:15:01,760 --> 00:15:07,279 passed the tier one and tier two, the two smallest classes of growers and 177 00:15:05,519 --> 00:15:10,320 manufacturers. It was going to be a pilot program, but once you have a 178 00:15:08,560 --> 00:15:13,040 pilot, that's next. It's you know the law is going to stay the same. All the 179 00:15:11,600 --> 00:15:18,240 rules would have been the same or they would have fixed what it was. There were 180 00:15:15,680 --> 00:15:24,959 385 small ret um growers and manufacturers 181 00:15:22,560 --> 00:15:32,000 who this law would have given the right to deliver and sell directly to our 182 00:15:28,959 --> 00:15:36,160 customers and the retailers could not do that at all. 183 00:15:33,360 --> 00:15:38,720 » But that's been stopped. Paused or stopped? 184 00:15:36,880 --> 00:15:41,120 » It's been stopped. The Senate actually passed this 185 00:15:39,680 --> 00:15:46,959 » but the House did not. So >> the House did not. I think they just 186 00:15:43,040 --> 00:15:52,800 didn't want delivery at all. But so um but but what's happening is because 187 00:15:49,040 --> 00:15:58,000 there's so many um growers because we are an a state and I get that and the 188 00:15:55,199 --> 00:16:04,240 law does say that for small growers you should have some you know accommodations 189 00:16:01,360 --> 00:16:10,160 but the law also states that the CCB is supposed to regulate an equitable and 190 00:16:06,800 --> 00:16:16,959 fair market. That means no bias. Instead, the CCB is the is I've had one 191 00:16:13,839 --> 00:16:21,519 CCB member member write to me that every decision they make has to consider small 192 00:16:19,600 --> 00:16:26,720 growers. That is absolutely not what the law is. 193 00:16:23,519 --> 00:16:32,480 It is a real problem. And so, but what's happening is and the growers are they 194 00:16:28,959 --> 00:16:37,360 have a paid lobbyist who actually he got this going or he got this passed in the 195 00:16:35,040 --> 00:16:41,440 Senate. I don't think the Senate committee that listened to him, I know 196 00:16:39,360 --> 00:16:45,839 the House committee that listened to him also, I didn't even know he was just a 197 00:16:43,279 --> 00:16:50,079 paid lobbyist and didn't actually have a license in Vermont. 198 00:16:48,399 --> 00:16:56,240 And I will make sure that the legislature understands this. Um, this 199 00:16:53,519 --> 00:17:03,360 is a this is a matter of careful of what you wish for. Um it is wellestablished 200 00:17:00,639 --> 00:17:09,439 in other states throughout the country too many dispensary licenses or too many 201 00:17:07,199 --> 00:17:13,919 grow licenses hurts the industry 202 00:17:11,600 --> 00:17:16,880 price compression. Severe price compression which we're already 203 00:17:15,280 --> 00:17:22,079 experiencing. And guess who it hurts the worst? Small 204 00:17:19,520 --> 00:17:26,160 growers. Because what happens is their wholesale price gets driven down so much 205 00:17:24,480 --> 00:17:30,240 they can't afford to grow it because they're small and they don't have 206 00:17:27,600 --> 00:17:36,160 economies of scale. But nobody's putting this together. It's a matter of 207 00:17:32,320 --> 00:17:40,640 economics. Um so it falls on people like me in the industry to educate. So I'll 208 00:17:38,240 --> 00:17:45,039 be spending a lot of time in Montpillar. Um and we're having a lot of legislators 209 00:17:42,960 --> 00:17:48,320 actually visit our store so that they could see what we're doing and they 210 00:17:46,400 --> 00:17:54,400 could see that we're an homage to agriculture. if you come in our store 211 00:17:50,400 --> 00:17:57,840 and that we so much respect um cannabis from the growers that you know we've 212 00:17:55,919 --> 00:18:01,840 invested in this canrol system which keeps our cannabis fresh and we hear 213 00:18:00,080 --> 00:18:06,480 from people that if they can get the same cannabis at other stores around 214 00:18:03,520 --> 00:18:10,080 here ours is the freshest and that's we respect our we've invested a lot of 215 00:18:08,480 --> 00:18:12,720 money in it but we have respect for our customers. It's kind of like 216 00:18:11,280 --> 00:18:15,760 farmtotable. Right. >> Well and it goes back to what you guys 217 00:18:14,080 --> 00:18:19,520 initially set out in your business model which was to be the be the example. 218 00:18:17,840 --> 00:18:25,120 » Right. Right. and to do it the right way. Right. 219 00:18:20,240 --> 00:18:31,440 » Yes. Um but so while we've had the moratorum, 220 00:18:27,120 --> 00:18:35,600 the CCB was still allowing relocations. So if you wanted to get out of a busy 221 00:18:33,280 --> 00:18:40,720 area and you found a not busy area and that's great because that's what the law 222 00:18:37,120 --> 00:18:46,720 said, geographic distribution and market need. Well, we have another dispensary 223 00:18:43,840 --> 00:18:50,559 coming into Springfield any day now. you're going to have three within three 224 00:18:48,799 --> 00:18:54,640 and a half miles of each other >> because they're 225 00:18:52,000 --> 00:19:01,280 » it makes no sense whatsoever. >> Um the CCB decided it and the CCB right 226 00:18:58,080 --> 00:19:04,160 now allows the CCB can decide and has sole discretion that there is this 227 00:19:02,880 --> 00:19:07,919 market need. They didn't even really discuss market need. They just looked at 228 00:19:06,000 --> 00:19:14,880 the population of Springfield. Well, guess what? I educated them afterwards 229 00:19:10,480 --> 00:19:21,120 that the mean um the average household income in Springfield is 30% 230 00:19:18,240 --> 00:19:27,200 less than the whole state. So they need 30% less dispensaries. It's economics. 231 00:19:24,480 --> 00:19:36,240 They didn't know that. They didn't even ask our local our It's a local um um CCB 232 00:19:33,520 --> 00:19:41,760 compliance officer. He does our annual inspections for each of our licenses. He 233 00:19:38,960 --> 00:19:46,080 knows what's going on with each of the dispensaries. They didn't even ask him 234 00:19:43,919 --> 00:19:49,360 his thought if there was market need. I found this out afterwards. [snorts] 235 00:19:48,240 --> 00:19:55,039 » Let's keep moving forward. >> You got it. So, um, so, so what's 236 00:19:53,200 --> 00:20:01,440 happening is they're now doing retail sighting workshops with us. However, 237 00:19:57,919 --> 00:20:06,000 they're they're mostly um attended by growers and the questions are mostly 238 00:20:03,840 --> 00:20:11,520 geared to growers. The growers want more access, but it's not. So, by the way, in 239 00:20:10,160 --> 00:20:18,320 fairness, there are parts of the state that need dispensaries. 240 00:20:13,919 --> 00:20:23,039 Unfortunately, the way we were opt um in, we're an opt-in state that the 241 00:20:20,960 --> 00:20:28,640 state said it's legal, but each town has to opt in. I've never seen this before. 242 00:20:26,080 --> 00:20:31,360 All other states are opt out, >> right? 243 00:20:29,120 --> 00:20:35,120 » It's legal, but you say you don't want it. So, what that has occurred is that a 244 00:20:33,520 --> 00:20:40,240 third of the state or even more than a third of the state doesn't it in numbers 245 00:20:37,840 --> 00:20:45,280 of towns doesn't have a dispensary, but we all know I don't live here, but I 246 00:20:42,640 --> 00:20:51,039 would shop here and you know, um I go to restaurants here. I'm two towns away. Um 247 00:20:48,799 --> 00:20:56,480 you don't need something in every town. Um but we need to get them we need to 248 00:20:53,440 --> 00:21:01,280 sort of incentivize getting them there. Um as far as we're concerned 110 249 00:20:59,120 --> 00:21:03,840 licenses is the maximum. You don't need anymore. 250 00:21:02,240 --> 00:21:06,159 » What are the conditions of lifting the train? 251 00:21:04,400 --> 00:21:09,919 » They need to do these retail sighting rules. 252 00:21:06,960 --> 00:21:13,200 » So it's so it's it's like us redoing our planning rules like it's meeting after 253 00:21:11,679 --> 00:21:19,440 meeting and at some point it's going to get approved or not. 254 00:21:14,720 --> 00:21:26,559 » Right. So there they had rules, they proposed rules last year and and 255 00:21:22,640 --> 00:21:30,880 comments were due February of 25. They not only had a rebuttable 256 00:21:29,120 --> 00:21:35,520 presumption that every town could have two, if you had more than 4,000, you 257 00:21:34,000 --> 00:21:40,799 could have four. If you had more than 8,000, you could have like 10. It was It 258 00:21:38,640 --> 00:21:46,000 was so ridiculous. I figured out the math. And again, it was over, you know, 259 00:21:43,600 --> 00:21:50,159 it was between 500 and 600 dispensaries in the state of 650,000 people. It it 260 00:21:48,880 --> 00:21:52,240 makes no sense. And we're talking including children, right? 261 00:21:51,440 --> 00:21:57,280 » Makes no sense. >> Okay. 262 00:21:52,640 --> 00:22:01,280 » Um so they scrapped those because everybody said no. Then they did the 263 00:21:59,600 --> 00:22:06,400 moratorum. Um now they have to redevelop the rules. 264 00:22:04,559 --> 00:22:09,679 It has to go through a formal process and then has to be the legislature has 265 00:22:08,720 --> 00:22:13,360 to say okay >> that was my question. So the CCB doesn't 266 00:22:12,000 --> 00:22:17,440 get to say, "Okay, we finished our rules. The mortorium's over." Correct. 267 00:22:14,960 --> 00:22:21,120 » CCB has to then go to the legislatur. >> So, well, it's it's a public comment 268 00:22:19,200 --> 00:22:26,320 period first, which is great. That's at least helpful. Unfortunately, our CCB is 269 00:22:23,760 --> 00:22:29,840 about, well, I received five comments on the same topic, so therefore it's a 270 00:22:28,080 --> 00:22:34,799 popular topic as opposed to, well, this is serious, and there's so many more 271 00:22:31,919 --> 00:22:39,280 growers than retailers. But the same growers at these retail sighting shops, 272 00:22:37,360 --> 00:22:42,559 they keep asking for direct to consumer, direct to consumer. But they also say, 273 00:22:40,960 --> 00:22:49,600 "I don't want to have to travel two hours to sell to my store, from um from 274 00:22:46,880 --> 00:22:54,240 Essex, from Burlington." Well, you get to that's what you paid for and that's 275 00:22:52,000 --> 00:23:00,720 what your license is about, right? >> It it is so that there it it this is 276 00:22:57,840 --> 00:23:07,840 what you ask what we're up against and it's [snorts] unbelievable. 277 00:23:03,360 --> 00:23:13,120 um fert Oh, and and by the way, within a 25 mile radius, there is one very good 278 00:23:11,280 --> 00:23:18,640 proposal where it's it's a catchment area. You look at where somebody wants 279 00:23:15,760 --> 00:23:23,039 to put a new dispensary, either new or relocated and then you look at the 25 280 00:23:21,120 --> 00:23:27,679 miles around it and you consider what's going on there. So, it's not because 281 00:23:24,960 --> 00:23:30,960 town borders are absolutely arbitrary. >> That does sound bad to look at. So you 282 00:23:29,280 --> 00:23:34,000 could if you had two in a town and then the town line is here and you have two 283 00:23:32,480 --> 00:23:38,400 there, you've got four clustered right there, right? So now they're looking at 284 00:23:36,640 --> 00:23:42,720 counties still arbitrary. Now they're looking at maybe taking a state and 285 00:23:41,039 --> 00:23:48,320 saying it's six different places with equal amounts of people, but you can't 286 00:23:45,919 --> 00:23:53,600 compare Burlington's density with Chester's. They're they're trying to 287 00:23:50,880 --> 00:23:58,799 simplify something that's not simple. Um, but a catchment area of 25 miles, 288 00:23:56,640 --> 00:24:04,720 I'm saying either you you now that you have a hundred operating about and 110 289 00:24:01,760 --> 00:24:08,880 licenses, stop it there. Let people move. But if you want to let people move 290 00:24:07,120 --> 00:24:14,960 into an area, if there's an existing dispensary within the 25 miles, let them 291 00:24:12,080 --> 00:24:18,960 have standing at these discussions to say there is market need or not. 292 00:24:16,960 --> 00:24:23,679 Instead, they're only allowing the new person to decide and the CCB in its sole 293 00:24:21,360 --> 00:24:28,480 discretion. It's like there was so much data you're not asking for and people 294 00:24:26,159 --> 00:24:33,200 you're not. So if they did that and gave us standing, we would have stopped this 295 00:24:30,880 --> 00:24:37,760 additional Springfield dispensary. I will tell you that the only reason we 296 00:24:34,720 --> 00:24:41,600 didn't sue the state um is because there's two there two already there 297 00:24:39,520 --> 00:24:46,480 within two and a half miles. When a third one goes in, which we have been 298 00:24:43,360 --> 00:24:48,799 told is within one mile from those, it's very foreseeable one of those is going 299 00:24:48,000 --> 00:24:51,760 out of business. >> That's right. 300 00:24:49,440 --> 00:24:56,240 » Yeah. I did what we could. I tried meeting after meeting after they decided 301 00:24:53,840 --> 00:25:00,400 to get this undone. By the way, I was so persuasive that they're not doing this 302 00:24:58,000 --> 00:25:03,679 right. There's now a moratorum on relocations. 303 00:25:02,320 --> 00:25:08,480 » So that's that's positive. >> It it is positive. It's bad for those 304 00:25:05,760 --> 00:25:14,000 who wanted to relocate to an unserved or underserved part of state. But the CCB 305 00:25:12,240 --> 00:25:18,400 did this to themselves. >> Um question. Um if someone wants to give 306 00:25:17,120 --> 00:25:20,799 up their license, so there's a moratorum. 307 00:25:19,200 --> 00:25:24,080 » Yes. But let's say one of the ones in Springfield that has a license says 308 00:25:22,880 --> 00:25:27,520 we're done. We're out of here. We can't make it work. Can someone else purchase 309 00:25:25,760 --> 00:25:31,039 that license or does it go back into the pool and go, "Okay, now we have one more 310 00:25:29,120 --> 00:25:32,240 available." Or is it a mortorium? Did they fail? 311 00:25:31,760 --> 00:25:35,600 » Great idea. >> And so we go down. 312 00:25:33,120 --> 00:25:39,840 » These are great questions. The one that's going relocating to Springfield 313 00:25:37,600 --> 00:25:45,279 has not been operating since December of last year. 314 00:25:41,679 --> 00:25:49,360 There is no rule about for for giving back your license if you're not 315 00:25:46,960 --> 00:25:54,640 operating, which is absurd. Especially when you have a moratorum. They did no 316 00:25:51,760 --> 00:25:58,480 extra scrutiny. They allowed a change in ownership. It's a de facto brand new 317 00:25:57,360 --> 00:26:01,279 dispensary coming in. >> So they allowed a change in ownership. 318 00:25:59,919 --> 00:26:04,799 » They allowed a change in ownership. Yeah, you can sell these things, but 319 00:26:02,960 --> 00:26:07,760 they've not thought about this. >> Got it. 320 00:26:05,279 --> 00:26:12,320 » And they have I've argued and argued and I I you know I consult we paid for 321 00:26:10,559 --> 00:26:17,600 lawyers, administrative lawyers, not cannabis lawyers. Um, we had very good 322 00:26:15,279 --> 00:26:23,120 arguments to overturn this, but would have cost me $25,000 and I don't have I 323 00:26:20,640 --> 00:26:28,000 got to keep us alive and make payroll. Um, so there's a lot of issues with it 324 00:26:26,159 --> 00:26:30,400 right now. Yes, you could sell license. You have to get permission on the new 325 00:26:29,600 --> 00:26:33,760 license. [clears throat] You have to make sure that 326 00:26:31,919 --> 00:26:37,760 » it aren't multiple. You don't that someone doesn't own multiple 327 00:26:35,679 --> 00:26:42,880 dispensaries. They're only looking at the people over 10%. I believe the law 328 00:26:39,919 --> 00:26:46,720 is you can't don anything in in more than one dispensary. And I believe this 329 00:26:44,559 --> 00:26:52,000 is going on and the CCB is not doing anything about it and putting their 330 00:26:48,240 --> 00:26:58,000 heads in the sand. Okay. Um other threats to the industry or issues that 331 00:26:54,080 --> 00:27:03,039 have been going on, the CCB attempted to derive what's called product equivalency 332 00:27:00,480 --> 00:27:08,640 limit. So good news, it's not all bad news. Good news. This year the the the 333 00:27:06,720 --> 00:27:13,840 purchase limit and possession limit of legal cannabis in in Vermont went from 1 334 00:27:11,440 --> 00:27:16,960 oz to 2 oz, which is great because Massachusetts just did the same thing 335 00:27:15,600 --> 00:27:21,679 and we would have lost people to Massachusetts. You should know that two 336 00:27:19,120 --> 00:27:25,279 uh New York is 3 ounces. Um this is a great thing for all Vermonters. Um and 337 00:27:23,760 --> 00:27:30,640 it's a great thing for the industry. It lifts all boats. Um but when we say 338 00:27:28,880 --> 00:27:33,760 product equivalency is an ounce of flour, you can weigh it. It's an ounce 339 00:27:32,159 --> 00:27:38,080 of flour. So, how do you measure an edible, a drink, which is an edible, 340 00:27:36,400 --> 00:27:46,640 concentrates? They came, the CCB came up with some 341 00:27:41,279 --> 00:27:51,440 cockamy guidance. Um, it was so bad the industry, everyone in the industry is 342 00:27:49,120 --> 00:27:57,360 such an uproar. Within weeks, they took it back. They're now doing um new work 343 00:27:55,440 --> 00:28:02,399 groups with the industry, they're getting smart to develop new ones. I 344 00:27:59,919 --> 00:28:06,480 mean, it went from, you know, like you could buy eight beverages and that's it 345 00:28:05,679 --> 00:28:08,799 the equip, >> right, 346 00:28:07,520 --> 00:28:11,679 » per ounce, right? So, I guess it would have been 16, but you can buy cases and 347 00:28:10,559 --> 00:28:14,080 cases of beer, >> right? 348 00:28:12,320 --> 00:28:21,120 » It was just it didn't make sense. And then the way they applied things, they 349 00:28:17,520 --> 00:28:26,799 hammered drinks, which actually hit you ear um sooner because it's um 350 00:28:25,200 --> 00:28:34,720 nanotechnology. Um, and so you you get higher sooner and 351 00:28:32,559 --> 00:28:38,799 therefore you probably won't reach for that second gummy that may not hit you 352 00:28:37,120 --> 00:28:44,320 for an hour. >> Yet they made gummies you could buy so 353 00:28:41,039 --> 00:28:47,360 many more than the drinks. They had no science behind it. They didn't study 354 00:28:46,559 --> 00:28:49,120 what they did. >> They consulted with other states because 355 00:28:48,720 --> 00:28:54,399 I know >> I was just about to say they didn't look 356 00:28:51,360 --> 00:28:58,880 at what other states apply algebra. Yeah, it it it's I mean 357 00:28:57,600 --> 00:29:02,000 granted some of the things I don't like about the surrounding states, but they 358 00:29:00,159 --> 00:29:08,640 didn't even do that. They they just went beyond and I have demanded that the CCB 359 00:29:05,760 --> 00:29:11,919 needs to apply science and statistics to their decisions. And by the way, this 360 00:29:10,320 --> 00:29:14,880 was guidance that didn't have to go through the rule process. They could 361 00:29:13,919 --> 00:29:17,919 have kept that. >> So the equivalency rules are suspended 362 00:29:17,039 --> 00:29:23,440 at the moment. >> Yes. So right now it's the equivalent of 363 00:29:20,320 --> 00:29:28,799 an ounce is an ounce and whatever is the same amount of milligrams of gummies and 364 00:29:26,880 --> 00:29:33,039 it's a lot but that's what the law's been and that's what we're under right 365 00:29:30,320 --> 00:29:36,399 now they are. But that is one of the work groups that they're doing right now 366 00:29:34,640 --> 00:29:41,840 with the industry to try to develop things that make sense. 367 00:29:39,120 --> 00:29:47,760 Um, let's see. Uh, we talked about the Vermont Senate passing, um, 368 00:29:45,919 --> 00:29:53,679 bias towards a small grower, overreaching by the CCB. We talked about 369 00:29:50,080 --> 00:29:58,480 advertising health and wellness. So, the law, Vermont law, prohibits in 370 00:29:56,640 --> 00:30:05,760 advertising, you cannot claim that cannabis has any curative effects. I 371 00:30:01,279 --> 00:30:13,200 agree with that, of course. Um, instead the CCB guidelines say you cannot make 372 00:30:09,360 --> 00:30:18,720 any claim of any positive health benefit of cannabis. 373 00:30:16,000 --> 00:30:24,080 The science proves otherwise. The FDA has proved otherwise. Rescheduling, 374 00:30:21,039 --> 00:30:28,880 which I should address, of medical has proved otherwise. Um, and that's not 375 00:30:27,200 --> 00:30:31,039 even what the law is in Vermont. You're limiting what you can say about your 376 00:30:30,080 --> 00:30:34,799 product basically >> about well and manufacturers products 377 00:30:32,880 --> 00:30:38,320 and growers products. Meanwhile, everybody comes in for sleep and pain 378 00:30:36,880 --> 00:30:43,679 and anxiety >> and it's well documented that this helps 379 00:30:40,720 --> 00:30:48,640 with that. By the way, for you CBG, you don't need THC, but CBG may can help 380 00:30:46,399 --> 00:30:53,919 with pain if you're having pain issues for neuralg um that and you and you can 381 00:30:51,679 --> 00:31:01,279 get that in straight CBD products. CBG is one of the becoming a more popular 382 00:30:56,799 --> 00:31:04,720 minor ca cannabonoid. Um um so >> is that being contemplated or is it just 383 00:31:03,200 --> 00:31:07,840 that's how the law is written. So is there is there currently an appetite to 384 00:31:06,559 --> 00:31:10,720 change that? >> Uh I haven't convinced anyone yet but 385 00:31:09,919 --> 00:31:14,720 I'm working on it >> that for me to understand the status is 386 00:31:12,559 --> 00:31:20,000 that that is as it was when the law was enacted the first. Well, no. So again, 387 00:31:17,039 --> 00:31:25,440 the laws you can't say curative effects, but the guy 388 00:31:23,039 --> 00:31:30,559 » which is and their de facto making policy which is against administrative 389 00:31:27,919 --> 00:31:36,159 law in the state of Vermont and they've gone they've overreached and their 390 00:31:32,960 --> 00:31:42,480 policy is effective on us and I could lose my license. It's not effective upon 391 00:31:38,799 --> 00:31:46,880 citizens meaning it's it but I can't lose my license. I mean, this is why we 392 00:31:44,559 --> 00:31:53,600 stopped having an expert nurse and ganier do consultations because they 393 00:31:50,559 --> 00:31:56,960 also said that anything that has to do anything with health belongs in the 394 00:31:55,360 --> 00:32:01,200 medical market. >> There's no law in Vermont that states 395 00:31:58,960 --> 00:32:05,600 that and the general counsel who's doing all this cannot provide me that law and 396 00:32:03,840 --> 00:32:09,679 I've asked multiple times. >> All right. 397 00:32:06,399 --> 00:32:14,960 » All right. And then um uh we're getting the workshops, the raising. Um there are 398 00:32:13,039 --> 00:32:18,000 ways to fix this, but again it's it's the illicit market is a problem. We're 399 00:32:16,880 --> 00:32:20,960 losing tax dollars. >> So I have a couple quick questions and 400 00:32:19,440 --> 00:32:21,679 I'm going to I am going to try and keep it. 401 00:32:21,360 --> 00:32:24,159 » Yep. >> Uh one question is the illicit market. 402 00:32:23,760 --> 00:32:28,399 » Yeah. >> Uh back in 2018, 403 00:32:26,880 --> 00:32:33,679 » was law enforcement dealing with the illicit market? Have they changed again? 404 00:32:31,360 --> 00:32:37,440 And I'm only looking for your opinion. I don't need a whole bunch of backup. But 405 00:32:35,279 --> 00:32:41,039 in general, is it thought that in 2018 before cannabis was legal, was there law 406 00:32:39,840 --> 00:32:43,279 enforcement dealing? >> I believe there was more law enforcement 407 00:32:43,039 --> 00:32:46,720 then. >> And then once it became legal, it became 408 00:32:45,279 --> 00:32:49,519 easier for the illicit market to operate. 409 00:32:47,360 --> 00:32:56,640 » Yes, I believe that that's the case. given the nature of the illicit market, 410 00:32:52,080 --> 00:33:01,120 it's not like I can point to um but um but the fact that law enforcement has 411 00:32:59,200 --> 00:33:04,559 said it's now legal, so I'm going to >> I mean, it does make it harder for law 412 00:33:02,640 --> 00:33:07,279 enforcement to enforce it because you find somebody in possession, you don't 413 00:33:06,080 --> 00:33:08,880 know where that person got it or whatever. So, 414 00:33:07,919 --> 00:33:11,600 » oh yeah, but we're >> we're not talking about possession. 415 00:33:10,320 --> 00:33:16,480 » And by the way, I don't want to see anybody in jail. I've been consuming for 416 00:33:13,679 --> 00:33:21,519 50 years. I obviously was a, you know, member of the illicit markets, right? I 417 00:33:18,880 --> 00:33:24,480 I mean but they need fines because everyone should have come into the legal 418 00:33:23,600 --> 00:33:28,559 market right >> and instead because people are staying 419 00:33:26,720 --> 00:33:33,760 in the illicit market and some people are leaving the legal market and now 420 00:33:31,279 --> 00:33:38,320 operating again in the illicit market don't 421 00:33:35,440 --> 00:33:39,679 » right so don't so that that is our competition 422 00:33:39,200 --> 00:33:44,720 » right >> that is why we don't have the demand 423 00:33:41,679 --> 00:33:49,120 that is why we are our market is half of the original projections of what our 424 00:33:46,880 --> 00:33:52,480 market would be and I had known it would be this, I would not have opened a 425 00:33:50,640 --> 00:33:56,960 store. [laughter] Um, but so yeah, but so we're we're 426 00:33:54,720 --> 00:34:01,760 talking about like fines and you we're robbing the state of all these taxes 427 00:33:59,840 --> 00:34:03,760 » and it's not required to be tested, so it's dangerous. It's a matter of public 428 00:34:03,200 --> 00:34:08,879 health, >> right? 429 00:34:05,039 --> 00:34:15,040 » Uh are there being contemplated increases in uh taxes 430 00:34:12,639 --> 00:34:19,679 hitting both consumers and business operators? Are there are there any 431 00:34:16,480 --> 00:34:23,760 contemplated changes in how cannabis is being taxed in? 432 00:34:21,599 --> 00:34:27,599 » We argue that there should be less taxes because then you would bring more people 433 00:34:25,520 --> 00:34:31,520 from the illicit market because as soon as you walk in my store, the same exact 434 00:34:29,520 --> 00:34:35,839 product cost 20% more. >> Um and and many states have done that. 435 00:34:33,200 --> 00:34:43,200 I've not heard anybody talking about raising the the excise tax uh the 14%. 436 00:34:41,200 --> 00:34:46,079 Um, >> and I know other states have 437 00:34:44,240 --> 00:34:50,320 contemplated reducing the tax in order to again dilute the the the market. 438 00:34:49,200 --> 00:34:54,480 » Right. Right. >> Um, 439 00:34:51,839 --> 00:34:55,200 then to keep us focused and come to a wrap. 440 00:34:54,800 --> 00:34:58,720 » Yeah. >> As is interest to our local cannabis 441 00:34:57,520 --> 00:35:05,000 commission. Yeah. >> Um, 442 00:35:00,400 --> 00:35:05,000 what if we are 443 00:35:05,119 --> 00:35:11,920 have you heard anything coming out of Montpielar that would change or 444 00:35:09,520 --> 00:35:16,720 contemplates changing the relationship between the local cannabis control 445 00:35:13,520 --> 00:35:20,720 commission and the CCB? Um 446 00:35:19,040 --> 00:35:27,599 the in the rules that were in the proposed 447 00:35:23,760 --> 00:35:30,560 rules about geograph geographic sighting um 448 00:35:29,280 --> 00:35:35,760 there were all those rebuttable presumptions I put out there. But one of 449 00:35:33,440 --> 00:35:40,560 the exceptions was that the local cannabis commission could override 450 00:35:37,599 --> 00:35:49,440 everything. And I will tell you that we are absolutely against that. And we know 451 00:35:43,520 --> 00:35:52,400 you guys are smart. Um but um by nature you're going to be concerned about 452 00:35:50,720 --> 00:35:58,000 Chester, but you know you can't control what goes 453 00:35:55,680 --> 00:36:03,680 on in the town next to you. So for the very same reason it doesn't make sense 454 00:35:59,920 --> 00:36:08,560 to keep it locally, but that could to have the local CCB have any override 455 00:36:06,560 --> 00:36:12,320 provisions on that. That doesn't mean they can't come back again. And I hear 456 00:36:10,400 --> 00:36:16,800 that once in a while that that again could be an exception. Um, we're all 457 00:36:15,040 --> 00:36:19,680 working against that. It doesn't mean it's interesting. 458 00:36:17,200 --> 00:36:22,480 » We don't have the information that they have about our sales 459 00:36:21,200 --> 00:36:26,960 » and what you're contemplating about the catchment. A local cannabis commission 460 00:36:24,560 --> 00:36:30,160 is limited to its local orders, right? >> And if a catchment is the way to make 461 00:36:28,800 --> 00:36:35,280 the business more equitable and therefore better for the state, right? 462 00:36:31,839 --> 00:36:41,599 » Then creating small thieftdoms doesn't help no look at the entire state as a 463 00:36:39,599 --> 00:36:46,480 » industry. So if anything, so you would have to then, you know, we would argue 464 00:36:43,760 --> 00:36:52,000 that if if you were to be given that, you know, that um that authority, um 465 00:36:49,520 --> 00:36:55,440 that you would have to then weigh market need and that 466 00:36:53,119 --> 00:37:00,079 » well and each local each municipality or each local commission would then be in a 467 00:36:57,680 --> 00:37:03,359 position to sit and decide we don't want one here because we don't want to dilute 468 00:37:01,599 --> 00:37:07,520 our business or to say we want more because we want as many business as we 469 00:37:04,720 --> 00:37:11,359 want. So it wouldn't be consistent. It would be consistent. 470 00:37:08,800 --> 00:37:17,680 » Absolutely. Absolutely. And I Yes. And and the the opt in opt out is how 471 00:37:15,040 --> 00:37:21,440 municipalities control this. >> Anecdotally, are you hearing about 472 00:37:19,040 --> 00:37:27,680 communities or Julie, are you hearing about communities that originally didn't 473 00:37:23,599 --> 00:37:31,920 opt in in 23? Are there communities now choosing to opt in later in the years? 474 00:37:30,160 --> 00:37:38,000 » I believe what Yeah. I mean, the answer is yes. So, uh, not Plymouth, Caendish, 475 00:37:35,680 --> 00:37:42,640 I believe, did. too. What's happening is that all the fear-mongering about, oh, 476 00:37:40,960 --> 00:37:48,640 we're going to have crime and delinquents and people realize that if 477 00:37:46,079 --> 00:37:52,880 anything, and by the way, studies show in Colorado that the safest places to 478 00:37:51,599 --> 00:37:57,520 have your neighborhood is around a dispensary because the cops are there. 479 00:37:54,960 --> 00:38:01,440 » I mean, the police in Chester love us and we love them. 480 00:37:59,200 --> 00:38:04,240 » You know, we want to be safe and it's we have we have more cameras than banks, 481 00:38:03,520 --> 00:38:07,359 » right? >> Okay. 482 00:38:04,720 --> 00:38:11,440 » Yeah. So, so the answer is yes. >> Okay. Um I pushed you through. Is there 483 00:38:10,000 --> 00:38:14,160 anything you really wanted to share with us that we didn't get to? 484 00:38:12,560 --> 00:38:18,960 » No. And I just, you know, there's way to fix these things and we've talked about 485 00:38:15,680 --> 00:38:23,280 a bunch of these things and um you know, I mean, we need the law enforcement. we 486 00:38:21,119 --> 00:38:28,400 need some tighter rules or what have you, but as citizens, I mean, I think 487 00:38:25,920 --> 00:38:34,240 that it's we all want to help growers and other businesses, but we need to 488 00:38:32,160 --> 00:38:39,680 you don't kill you don't hurt one vertical to benefit another. And that's 489 00:38:36,640 --> 00:38:43,680 what is they're pushing versus like, you know, when you raise the purchase limit 490 00:38:41,359 --> 00:38:49,359 from 1 ounce to 2 ounces, you're lifting the whole industry. Lifting the industry 491 00:38:46,640 --> 00:38:54,000 helps the public health and helps the Vermont tax coffers. And I think that, 492 00:38:51,920 --> 00:38:59,040 you know, I say this to everyone, not just the local CCB. And this is 493 00:38:56,079 --> 00:39:03,440 important for our legislators to hear and especially from you guys as a local 494 00:39:01,040 --> 00:39:09,599 CCB. You know, we're not looking for a monopoly. I mean, we're we're looking to 495 00:39:06,800 --> 00:39:13,359 Yes, price competition helps bring down prices for consumers, but the problem is 496 00:39:11,680 --> 00:39:17,119 it's bringing it down so much that it's just putting people out of business and 497 00:39:15,359 --> 00:39:21,680 it doesn't make sense. And by the time once you get so low and all, we are the 498 00:39:19,040 --> 00:39:25,359 illicit market again. It's just not sustainable. 499 00:39:23,440 --> 00:39:31,920 » Did you guys have any questions? >> No, I think it's covered. 500 00:39:29,119 --> 00:39:36,480 » Andy, that was really, really good. I mean that's instead of me spending hours 501 00:39:34,160 --> 00:39:38,400 and hours reading the CCG website and trying to find the notes. So I 502 00:39:37,920 --> 00:39:45,119 appreciate >> I do have if I can just nationally 503 00:39:40,400 --> 00:39:49,920 what's happening. So um medical cannabis has it's not that it's been legalized 504 00:39:48,000 --> 00:39:55,440 but it's gone from schedule one to schedule three on the control substance 505 00:39:51,680 --> 00:40:02,480 act. That is unfortunate. It's still illegal but it's it's involving the DEA. 506 00:39:58,960 --> 00:40:07,119 Um um people are holding back. We could get our medical endorsement. Um but I'm 507 00:40:05,520 --> 00:40:12,400 not sure I need to deal with all that. We're trying to figure out how things 508 00:40:08,800 --> 00:40:18,400 are going. However, um they just finished hearings about adult use also 509 00:40:15,359 --> 00:40:23,920 being rescheduled to schedule 3. That again will not make it legal, but what 510 00:40:21,359 --> 00:40:29,520 it will do. So on top of all the other problems and regulations that we have, 511 00:40:27,119 --> 00:40:33,839 we are be because you're if you're on schedule one or two, we're actually 512 00:40:31,760 --> 00:40:38,320 taxed for federal tax purposes at the gross profit level. So you can imagine 513 00:40:35,680 --> 00:40:43,280 our tax bill. If it goes to schedule three, we no longer will be. However, we 514 00:40:41,200 --> 00:40:48,800 don't know if that means we're also then going to be with the DEA. It's it's a 515 00:40:45,520 --> 00:40:53,760 little confusing. Um, but because of all this and apparently and it looked bad at 516 00:40:50,960 --> 00:40:59,599 first because the administrative law judge for the DEA cut out all these 517 00:40:56,880 --> 00:41:06,800 pro-nabis witnesses, so it looked like this was set up to fail. Um, but uh but 518 00:41:04,720 --> 00:41:12,560 instead apparently the testimony is actually very positive. Um, we'll see 519 00:41:10,240 --> 00:41:19,040 what happens, but like anything in the federal government, it's we got to wait 520 00:41:14,800 --> 00:41:27,440 and see. Um, oh, and I I forgot to say that the other really big hindrance to 521 00:41:23,520 --> 00:41:30,319 all legal cannabis is the hemp market. >> Yes. 522 00:41:28,079 --> 00:41:34,319 » And I forgot to mention that. Yeah. So, the hemp, just let you know, the hemp 523 00:41:32,400 --> 00:41:40,240 ban that was supposed to go in place in November 12th of this year, it it's 524 00:41:37,440 --> 00:41:46,560 gotten pushed back a month. However, they did outlaw um synthetic hemp. I 525 00:41:44,560 --> 00:41:53,200 mean, it's stuff that's being sold in in gas stations, but but I it's, you know, 526 00:41:50,400 --> 00:41:59,760 the so the can the legal cannabis industry is pushing for, you know, if 527 00:41:57,599 --> 00:42:04,400 you have hemp products that are a minor amount of THC, it's not intoxicating, 528 00:42:02,640 --> 00:42:09,839 but it gives you the medicinal effects and you can get CBD with it. And CBD 529 00:42:07,839 --> 00:42:14,319 doesn't go to your endocanabonoid receptors. THC does. So, if you have 530 00:42:12,000 --> 00:42:22,720 both together, it can bring the medicine of CBD, CBG, CBN, and our Anyway, I'm 531 00:42:19,280 --> 00:42:27,520 going too far, but um we're lobbying that you get rid of the intoxicating 532 00:42:25,119 --> 00:42:31,359 hemp products, which can be advertised on Facebook legally right now, which can 533 00:42:29,839 --> 00:42:35,760 be shipped through the mail right now, and we can't fake. 534 00:42:33,200 --> 00:42:38,560 » Yes and no. There is there is hemp products and there's some that is and 535 00:42:37,040 --> 00:42:43,760 and it's not required to be tested, >> right? So, that is another, it's just 536 00:42:41,440 --> 00:42:47,920 not in Vermont's control. Um, and Vermont's a little better about it, but 537 00:42:45,599 --> 00:42:52,400 Vermont says anything over one and a half milligrams of THC is a cannabis 538 00:42:50,240 --> 00:42:57,440 product, which by the way, that's that not that's not accurate, but fine. Um, 539 00:42:56,079 --> 00:43:00,800 there's great products that are 2 milligrams, but anyway. 540 00:42:59,520 --> 00:43:04,079 » Um, so >> I think that's it. Of course, and if you 541 00:43:02,480 --> 00:43:09,359 think of anything else, I'm always available. I'm try to stay on top of it 542 00:43:06,640 --> 00:43:15,040 because I have to. And if you guys don't know or didn't remember, I wouldn't 543 00:43:11,680 --> 00:43:19,599 expect you to. I also manage an invest a small investment fund that invests in 544 00:43:16,480 --> 00:43:24,400 legal cannabis in the US. So that's why I'm so 545 00:43:21,520 --> 00:43:28,240 educated about laws outside of Vermont. And we tend to be insiller and I get 546 00:43:26,160 --> 00:43:32,960 we're Vermont and we're great, but let's learn from the lessons from other 547 00:43:29,839 --> 00:43:38,319 states. So that's my message. But thank you guys for what you're doing locally 548 00:43:35,119 --> 00:43:41,280 and we appreciate it. and um happy to you know be of you know a resource for 549 00:43:40,560 --> 00:43:44,240 you guys. >> You have been and and really deep you 550 00:43:43,200 --> 00:43:46,160 and Scott and Meredith. [clears throat] So thank you very much. 551 00:43:45,520 --> 00:43:47,440 » My pleasure. >> Appreciate it. 552 00:43:46,560 --> 00:43:50,960 » Great. >> Thank you. 553 00:43:48,240 --> 00:43:55,200 » All right. Um so I can we just conversational now 554 00:43:53,760 --> 00:43:58,160 because it's just the four five of us. Where are we at? 555 00:43:56,000 --> 00:44:02,960 » Uh number five we move on to revise meeting schedule expectations. So I gave 556 00:44:00,400 --> 00:44:06,480 Julie the agenda and then I went and read our whatever our founding documents 557 00:44:05,119 --> 00:44:10,880 or whatever it is that makes us and there are no meeting expectations. 558 00:44:08,850 --> 00:44:14,560 [laughter] So as far as revising the meeting expectations just 559 00:44:12,480 --> 00:44:19,760 conversationally and for the minutes and for the community I um I would 560 00:44:17,119 --> 00:44:27,040 anticipate moving forward with a once annual and as needed. um we get notified 561 00:44:23,760 --> 00:44:31,040 if somebody wants to open a retail uh dispensary in the town and so we would 562 00:44:29,520 --> 00:44:36,880 gather as soon as that we got that notification. Um the once annual I would 563 00:44:34,079 --> 00:44:41,200 be steering us towards immediately after the March elections because that's when 564 00:44:39,520 --> 00:44:44,880 we reorganize and appoint from the select board. So to get that tied into 565 00:44:43,440 --> 00:44:49,040 that, originally I had looked at the late August, early September, honestly 566 00:44:47,359 --> 00:44:53,760 out of respect for the one license we had to renew every year, but we don't 567 00:44:51,280 --> 00:44:58,720 actually have to renew it. So um the other reality is that the ongoing 568 00:44:55,760 --> 00:45:03,520 license that exists in Chester renews through the state. Um anything we do is 569 00:45:01,440 --> 00:45:06,800 is because we want to throw a party or say something nice, but it just 570 00:45:04,960 --> 00:45:11,040 automatically renews. I thought we had to approve the 571 00:45:08,400 --> 00:45:14,480 » I believed we did too and it it was nice that we did it but but it's not required 572 00:45:13,119 --> 00:45:19,760 in any way, shape or form. >> So if we move the once annual 573 00:45:16,880 --> 00:45:23,520 » con idea theory to being shortly after the March town meeting, 574 00:45:21,440 --> 00:45:31,440 » then that lines up more easily with appointments and any um terms that come 575 00:45:26,000 --> 00:45:36,400 up and stuff like that. Um then uh again as a conversation and I encourage 576 00:45:34,000 --> 00:45:41,599 Julie if you have any input and Andy if you want to join us to my mind knowing 577 00:45:40,079 --> 00:45:46,640 what we've learned in the last three years that we've gathered 578 00:45:43,839 --> 00:45:52,560 we've done one thing we we licensed down to the roots since then we renewed the 579 00:45:49,520 --> 00:45:57,359 down to the roots license we've had some early community discussion and 580 00:45:54,640 --> 00:46:01,359 conversation about uh signing manage and advertising and things like that. But 581 00:45:58,640 --> 00:46:06,400 all of that has really come into a a place where it's working, but it's also 582 00:46:02,880 --> 00:46:10,480 directed by Moilia. Having five people on the commission is hard because we may 583 00:46:09,280 --> 00:46:13,599 meet once a year, >> right? 584 00:46:10,800 --> 00:46:18,560 » And we're not engaged in active stuff. Um I said a year ago that I thought we 585 00:46:15,920 --> 00:46:21,599 should be a commission of three. Um the issue with that is just gee, if 586 00:46:20,160 --> 00:46:24,480 something did come up and it was urgent and we couldn't get three of us in the 587 00:46:22,960 --> 00:46:30,640 room, then we couldn't really do anything. But I'm I would like to go 588 00:46:27,520 --> 00:46:34,160 back to the select board again on uh the 16th of September and make the 589 00:46:32,640 --> 00:46:39,119 recommendation that the board officially be three members. In the short term, the 590 00:46:37,280 --> 00:46:42,640 three of us that the other two seats have not been filled. The people chose 591 00:46:40,720 --> 00:46:47,839 not to return. We can operate this way until next 592 00:46:45,280 --> 00:46:52,079 March. We don't there's no obligation to fill those two seats. Okay? 593 00:46:49,520 --> 00:46:56,319 » Because we represent a majority. Um it doesn't mean we have to agree. two out 594 00:46:54,160 --> 00:47:00,480 of the three of us become the majority, but we are a quorum 595 00:46:58,480 --> 00:47:04,400 » in some cases. There may be some votes where you do you would have to have all 596 00:47:02,160 --> 00:47:07,119 three of you and I can statutes on that. >> But again, the thing that this 597 00:47:06,240 --> 00:47:10,880 commission >> correct 598 00:47:07,680 --> 00:47:13,520 » would ever have to vote on >> I would think so 599 00:47:11,760 --> 00:47:16,800 » are not like like there's one thing we vote on [laughter] and that would be if 600 00:47:15,280 --> 00:47:21,839 there was a license and even that is a rubber stamp. So at this point if would 601 00:47:20,319 --> 00:47:26,720 you is there anything you'd like to do you is there a reason you would advocate 602 00:47:23,359 --> 00:47:30,000 for us to try and keep it at five or why we think we need more 603 00:47:27,839 --> 00:47:33,200 » three works I think for what we're doing >> why make it more complicated than it has 604 00:47:32,319 --> 00:47:39,359 to be >> and if crazy things start happening in 605 00:47:36,800 --> 00:47:43,760 Milier and they start empowering the local commission or they start 606 00:47:41,520 --> 00:47:47,839 » leaning on the local commission then we can go to the select board and revise 607 00:47:46,313 --> 00:47:52,640 [snorts] and say we think the commission needs to grow. So, my feeling is taking 608 00:47:51,119 --> 00:47:56,240 it to three means we don't sit there with a hole on our board that looks 609 00:47:54,079 --> 00:48:01,920 weird and then if we needed to go back up, we could go back up. Um, do you guys 610 00:47:59,200 --> 00:48:06,880 have any strong feelings about that, >> Julie? 611 00:48:03,839 --> 00:48:10,160 » Andy, I know as a citizen, yeah, >> the as citizen and actually as a 612 00:48:08,720 --> 00:48:16,880 commission that regulates your business. Yeah, I I'm you know on the you would it 613 00:48:14,319 --> 00:48:21,440 is prefuncter in some ways but if we violated our signage or zoning you could 614 00:48:20,160 --> 00:48:25,200 stop our license. >> Correct. 615 00:48:22,000 --> 00:48:27,680 » So but but that is it. Right. It's our it's our we have to comply with 616 00:48:26,960 --> 00:48:33,520 Chester's >> and if and if you did or if you do the 617 00:48:31,119 --> 00:48:35,520 three of us or any three me whatever the three members are it doesn't have to be 618 00:48:34,960 --> 00:48:40,559 us. It could >> and you get noticed when we're renewing. 619 00:48:38,079 --> 00:48:46,319 » Exactly. So I don't see you know I'm sure the three of you are a majority to 620 00:48:43,440 --> 00:48:49,359 a quorum you get like 30 days or something and yeah if you don't say 621 00:48:47,520 --> 00:48:53,280 anything it just goes through. >> Yeah. 622 00:48:50,079 --> 00:49:00,559 » I think if we were handed all of sudden uh more authority than we currently 623 00:48:58,000 --> 00:49:05,440 have. I think there would be pressure from the community to expand the 624 00:49:03,839 --> 00:49:09,440 » and I wouldn't fight it. I would appreciate that. I but we've sat for 625 00:49:07,359 --> 00:49:12,800 three years asking every opportunity we get well 626 00:49:11,280 --> 00:49:15,920 where's our authority what is our role what can we do and the answer has come 627 00:49:14,319 --> 00:49:18,480 back consistently less and less and less so 628 00:49:16,720 --> 00:49:21,920 » until that changes and I bet we'll hear about it if it's going to change 629 00:49:20,559 --> 00:49:27,359 » um and that would give us some time >> I think Andy made the point that the 630 00:49:23,920 --> 00:49:33,520 fear local fear of you know all hell breaking loose because there's pot in 631 00:49:30,240 --> 00:49:39,599 town uh is gone so >> has has not manifest 632 00:49:35,200 --> 00:49:44,559 » Yeah. Yeah, I would agree. Um, so I will uh with your support make that statement 633 00:49:42,480 --> 00:49:47,440 or that recommendation on our behalf as a commission to the select board in two 634 00:49:46,480 --> 00:49:51,920 weeks. >> Good job. 635 00:49:48,079 --> 00:49:55,760 » Great. Thanks. Um, that brings us to item number seven. Any 636 00:49:53,920 --> 00:49:58,800 new business? Julie, is there any new business for 637 00:49:57,040 --> 00:50:01,800 this board commission? >> Um, 638 00:50:02,079 --> 00:50:06,880 barring anything else, I think that brings us to the end. I'll entertain a 639 00:50:05,040 --> 00:50:12,079 motion to adjurnn. >> Is that a motion to adjourn the meeting? 640 00:50:10,640 --> 00:50:14,240 » Second the motion to adjourn the meeting. 641 00:50:12,720 --> 00:50:16,960 » Thank you. The motion is Tom, second is Charles. All those in favor of 642 00:50:15,359 --> 00:50:20,559 adjourning the meeting say I. >> I. 643 00:50:17,920 --> 00:50:23,040 » Excellent. Thank you very much. And Julie, thank you for being our official 644 00:50:22,319 --> 00:50:25,760 notetaker. >> You're welcome.