Vermont Cannabiz Guide: An Introduction

It’s been less than three years since Vermont legalized the sale of cannabis, aka marijuana, for recreational use; the first legal sale took place on October 1, 2022. Back then, there were just three dispensaries, in Burlington, Middlebury and Rutland. Today there are more than 100, from Cambridge to Chester, Derby to Manchester Center, with more opening all the time.

Not surprisingly, Burlington is home to the highest concentration, with 13 dispensaries. Little Winooski boasts three within half a mile of each other — Winooski Organics, Dome City and Hello, Hi.

The database we used to create this guide added multiple entries in the weeks leading up to publication, possibly new businesses looking to capitalize on the 4/20 holiday. It’s never been easier to buy legal weed here.

The state’s Cannabis Control Board regulates these businesses, and they all have a few things in common. For example, the windows must be impenetrable so no one can see inside. Also: All dispensaries are required to sell only Vermont-grown or processed products. That includes weed, edibles, tinctures, topicals, etc. Most of them have a menu, either displayed on a screen or in print, with varying levels of detail. Some offer discounts and loyalty programs.

Differences extend beyond just location, though: Some dispensaries, such as Zenbarn Farms in Waterbury Center, grow and sell their own cannabis. Others also offer equipment to help you grow your own — the Hidden Grove in White River Junction is located inside White River Growpro.

Many sell similar products but offer different vibes — think wellness spa, trippy bakery or rustic hippie-chic emporium. We compiled this guide to help you explore them. Read on to learn about some of the basics of cannabis culture, including how to use this mind-altering substance responsibly.

Though these dispensaries are all open at the time of publication, it’s hard to say which will have staying power. Already two dispensaries in Burlington have closed, including the one that notched the state’s first sale. In other words: Toke up and enjoy it while it lasts.

Dispensary Dos and Don’ts

DO bring your photo ID proving you are 21+.

Dispensary staff will check it twice: once when you walk in and once when you pay.

DO bring cash.

You can’t buy cannabis with a credit card. Many dispensaries accept debit cards, but they do it by acting as an ATM. Just like an ATM, they charge transaction fees and round up your purchase to the nearest $5 or $10. They give you the change in cash, but it’s better to start out with it in the first place. If you forget to bring your Benjamins, some dispensaries have on-site ATMs.

DON’T touch the merchandise.

You can sniff the crop before you buy, but a budtender or a retail associate must help you with your purchase.

DO try shopping online ahead of time.

Some dispensaries let you shop online using a banking app; you can pick up your products in person.

DON’T light up as you walk out.

It’s illegal to use cannabis in public — at a restaurant, in a park, on a beach, on a sidewalk. Pretty much the only place it’s legal to use is a private dwelling.