Bill S.276, introduced by Senators White and Vyhovsky, mandates that any municipality in Vermont that has not previously voted to allow cannabis establishments must hold a vote on this issue during the 2026 general election. The bill adds a new section, 7 V.S.A. 863a, which outlines the voting process. Specifically, municipalities will be required to conduct the vote using an Australian ballot, with the question posed to voters being whether licensed cannabis retailers should be authorized to operate within their municipality.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that if a municipality votes in favor of permitting cannabis retailers, this decision can be rescinded in accordance with existing provisions in section 863 of the chapter. The act is set to take effect upon passage, ensuring that municipalities are prepared to address this issue in the upcoming election cycle.