Vermont § 903 - Priorities; business and technical assistance

§ 903. Priorities; business and technical assistance

• (a) The Board shall issue licenses pursuant to this chapter as determined according to
  a system of priorities adopted by rule by the Board. The system of priorities shall
  require consideration of criteria, including: (1) whether the applicants have an existing medical cannabis dispensary license in good
  standing; (2) whether the applicants would foster social justice and equity in the cannabis industry
  by being a minority or women-owned business; (3) whether the applicants propose specific plans to recruit, hire, and implement a development
  ladder for minorities, women, or individuals who have historically been disproportionately
  impacted by cannabis prohibition; (4) whether applicants propose specific plans to pay employees a living wage and offer
  benefits; (5) whether the project incorporates principles of environmental resiliency or sustainability,
  including energy efficiency; and (6) the geographic distribution of cannabis establishments based on population and market
  needs. (b) The Agency of Commerce and Community Development, in collaboration with the Agency
  of Agriculture, Food and Markets, shall provide business and technical assistance
  to Vermont applicants with priority for services based on criteria adopted by the
  Board in accordance with subsection (a) of this section. (c) On or before September 1, 2021, the Board shall begin working with the Department
  of Labor, Agency of Commerce and Community Development, the Department of Corrections,
  and the Director of Racial Equity to develop outreach, training, and employment programs
  focused on providing economic opportunities to individuals who historically have been
  disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition. (Added 2019, No. 164 (Adj. Sess.), § 7, eff. Oct. 7, 2020; amended 2021, No. 105 (Adj. Sess.), § 154, eff. July 1, 2022.)