The CCB is aware of a recent story published in the Brattleboro Reformer in which a cannabis-centered music festival was referred to as the first “open cannabis consumption event” and that the event was approved by the Cannabis Control Board. The article included statements from the organizers of the event indicating that public consumption was legal at the site because they designated the festival “private” and admitted only those older than 21. This is not an accurate statement of fact or Vermont law. The event was promoted to the general public, and the site of a music festival unquestionably is a place of public accommodation, where cannabis consumption is prohibited.
CCB staff visited the site of the festival ahead of time to meet with vendors and ensure they were aware of the regulations regarding cannabis-related events. Vendors and organizers were also aware of the CCB’s publicly-posted guidance document on convention displays, event sponsorships, and tabling (linked below).
This was the full extent of the CCB’s involvement in this festival.
Consumption of cannabis may only occur within a private dwelling where smoking is not otherwise prohibited. Cannabis consumption is prohibited in almost all public and commercial contexts. See 7 V.S.A. 833 (prohibiting public consumption); 18 V.S.A. 4230a(2) (prohibiting public consumption and establishing fines therefor); 7 V.S.A. 831(6) (defining “public place” and incorporating Title-18 prohibitions on tobacco smoking); 9 V.S.A. 4501(1) (defining “place of public accommodation”); and 18 V.S.A. 1741-1746 (defining “place of public access” and restricting smoking in public places).
Cannabis Control Board Guidance on Convention Displays, Event Sponsorships, and Event Tabling:
https://ccb.vermont.gov/sites/ccb/files/2023-08/CCBEvents.Sponsorships.pdf