The Cannabis Control Board (CCB) was created in 2020 by Act 164. It was subsequently amended in 2021 by Act 62.
7 V.S.A. §843(a) reads:
There is created within the Executive Branch an independent commission named the Cannabis Control Board for the purpose of safely, equitably, and effectively implementing and administering the laws enabling access to adult-use cannabis in Vermont.
To achieve this mission, the Board has identified seven guiding priorities to serve as its strategic vision in developing a regulatory program for adult-use and medical-use cannabis in Vermont.
Social Equity.
The Board recognizes the disproportionate impact of the historically government-led policies that fueled the economic oppression of Black and Brown people for generations and continues to disadvantage these individuals as well as Indigenous people, people of color, and other historically marginalized groups. The Board aspires to build an equitable and accessible program in order to mitigate the past harm inflicted by the prohibition of cannabis. To this end, the Board will prioritize inclusivity in its process of building the regulatory framework, and endeavor to collect data on the program to inform course corrections.
Legacy Market and Small Cultivators.
The Board seeks to encourage small cultivators and entrepreneurs in the legacy market to enter the regulated market by reducing barriers to entry and facilitating innovation.
Energy, Environment and Land Use.
Vermont will be a trailblazer in the national market by establishing a program that prioritizes environmental stewardship as a foundational principle. The Board has a fundamental responsibility to encourage and facilitate outdoor and mixed light growing over controlled environment indoor cultivation. The Board will endeavor to educate stakeholders on the goals and intent of the regulatory framework and support industry participants to achieve those goals.
Youth Prevention and Education.
The Board acknowledges the effects of cannabis use on the cognitive and socio-emotional development of youth and young adults. The Board will endeavor to develop a regulatory program that aims to prevent cannabis use among youth and educates consumers on the risks involved in cannabis consumption.
Consumer Protection.
It is imperative that Vermont cannabis users have the option to purchase cannabis and cannabis derived products that are consistently tested, labeled, and free from harmful contaminants. To achieve this goal, the Board will rely on the expertise of the Agency of Agriculture to ensure that consumer protection standards are achieved in both the adult-use and medical-use programs in Vermont.
Medical Program Services.
The Board will ensure that patients and caregivers maintain a continuity of access to the existing medical program services and will endeavor to reduce the regulatory burden impacting patients and caregivers, increase the safety and affordability of the medical program, ensure that medical cannabis meets quality standards, and facilitate the development of educational programs for health care professionals.
Public Safety.
Legalizing cannabis and cannabis sales can be a harm reduction policy if done responsibly.