Vermont Bill Would Require Cities to Vote on Allowing Marijuana Stores During 2026 Election

OG article by Anthony Martinelli

January 12, 2026

Vermont’s House Bill 633, introduced by Rep. Edward Waszazak (D), mandates that municipalities without prior formal votes on marijuana retailers place a binding yes/no question on the 2026 general election ballot. It applies to cities, towns, and villages not affirmatively addressing licensed establishments by July 1, 2026. Current law allows local opt-in/opt-out votes, but many communities remain undecided, creating regulatory uncertainty. The bill forces explicit decisions without automatically permitting sales. Municipalities could later repeal via existing processes if approved. If passed, it would trigger widespread local votes during the 2026 cycle, clarifying retailer authorization statewide. Referred to the Committee on Government Operations and Military Affairs, the measure aims to eliminate ambiguity in Vermont’s cannabis retail framework post-legalization.