Has Burlington's Stance on Recreational Cannabis Changed?

Burlington's Select Board is weighing the possibility of putting a recreational marijuana referendum on the local election ballot. This comes after a presentation from resident Will Seagaard, supported by Town Meeting Member, Alex Rutfield, making a case for allowing recreational cannabis sales in town. The argument was also bolstered by former Select Board member, Chris Hartling, who said he hoped the move to rescind the ban passes; he believes allowing recreational marijuana sales would have positive economic impacts for the town.

A ban was put in place by Town Meeting in 2017, following a state-wide vote that permitted recreational cannabis sales statewide but allowed individual municipalities to institute local bans if their citizens at large voted against the ballot measure. Medical cannabis sales are permitted statewide, and those sales are not taxed and therefore provide no additional revenue to the municipality. Recreational cannabis, however, does offer an additional source of tax revenue, which Seagaard says could amount to $300,000 per year on average if the town allows up to two recreational dispensaries.

Seagaard, who works in the cannabis industry, has been making the rounds to various town Boards, Commissions, and Committees and speaking with residents and business owners about the potential benefits the town could receive from permitting recreational dispensaries. Feedback has been mixed: Some members of these bodies cautioned Seagaard to back up his data and expressed reluctance to overturn a decision that was made based on a popular vote, while others welcome the potential revenue source for the town.

Select Board feedback on the idea of rescinding the ban was just as mixed. Jim Tigges, drawing on his law enforcement background, opposes marijuana sales. Joe Morandi, on the other hand, supports it as a potential revenue source. Other members are personally ambivalent but expressed a desire to follow the will of the residents, which they acknowledge might have changed since the 2016 vote.

A January Town Meeting article seeking to overturn the ban on recreational sales would be the first step, opening the door for more discussions on zoning and regulations at future Town Meetings if approved. But a question on the ballot for April's local election, should the Select Board choose to place one, could impact the timeline of these conversations.

The board hasn't taken an official stance on the referendum proposal. Town Administrator, Paul Sagarino, suggested the Select Board hold a brief special meeting between now and their next regularly scheduled meeting to nail down the details if they do indeed choose to add a question to the April 5 town election ballot. It's unclear whether or not the Town Meeting article would still go through in that case.

Seagaard and Rutfield are hosting public information sessions on January 14 and 22 at 6:30 p.m. at Grand View Farm to discuss the proposal further with residents.