The bill S.320, introduced by Senator Vyhovsky, aims to amend the regulations surrounding cannabis advertisements in Vermont. It seeks to redefine advertisements to include any broadly disseminated statements or depictions concerning cannabis that could reasonably induce sales. The bill also modifies the list of materials excluded from the definition of advertisement, allowing for more flexibility in what constitutes advertising. Notably, it narrows the restrictions on cannabis advertising to apply only to paid advertisements in third-party media, thereby easing some of the existing stringent requirements that have been criticized for being overly restrictive.

Key changes include the removal of the requirement for administrative agency preapproval of all communications from licensed cannabis establishments, which has been described as a de facto ban on outdoor advertising. The bill also repeals the prohibition on offering free samples of cannabis products and adjusts the threshold for audience age demographics from 15% to 30% for advertising in third-party media. Additionally, it mandates that all advertisements contain a short-form health warning and allows the Board to require changes to advertisements to protect public health. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 7-861, 7-864, 7-866