Vermont Looking For Applicants To Join The Cannabis Control Board
Governor Phil Scott has finally opened the application process to fill the seats on the newly created Cannabis Control Board. The potential applicants, once vetted by a committee, will then be personally appointed by Gov. Scott to oversee creation and administration of the rules and regulations which will govern the adult-use industry.
Vermont became the 11th state to legalize adult-use of sales, and the industry is expected to have it’s first transactions by October of next year.
The following is the overview and description of the job directly from the application source.
Overview
The State of Vermont is seeking individuals with experience in government regulation, legislative affairs, administrative rules, business, agricultural product production, and/or processing and distribution, for appointment to the State Cannabis Control Board (“Board”). The Board is newly created for the purpose of safely, equitably, and effectively implementing and administering the laws and rules regulating adult-use cannabis in Vermont. The Board is responsible for establishing, administering, and regulating a cannabis regulatory system for commercial cannabis cultivators, wholesalers, product manufacturers, retailers, and testing laboratories (together, “cannabis establishments”), as set forth in Act 164 of 2020 (the “Act”). The Board shall also take over responsibility for the regulation of medical cannabis dispensaries and the administration of the Medical Cannabis registry, currently administered by the Vermont Department of Public safety. Specifically, such responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Rulemaking in accordance with the Act;
- Administration of a program for regulating licensed cannabis establishments;
- Administration of the Medical Cannabis Registry;
- Administration of a program for licensed medical cannabis dispensaries; and
- Submission of an annual budget to the Governor.
The Board is composed of a Chair and two members—all appointed by the Governor after being vetted by the Cannabis Control Board Nominating Committee. This announcement seeks qualified candidates for all three Board positions.
Description
Board members are full-time exempt State of Vermont employees, and as such shall agree to serve at the pleasure of the Governor and shall be subject to the Governor’s Code of Ethics as well as the State Ethics laws. The individuals selected will be appointed for a term of three years and may serve for no more than three terms (for a total of 9 years). Candidates will be expected to develop a new complex regulatory system within a very tight timeframe established in the Act. Preferred candidates will have experience in administering complex regulatory systems and the ability to manage a start-up enterprise with responsibility for licensing, compliance, and enforcement. Board members will be responsible for developing and administering systems—through the administrative rulemaking process—for cannabis establishments, the Medical Cannabis Registry, and medical cannabis dispensaries. Selected candidates will work with the State Department of Human Resources to hire an Executive Director and work closely with the Executive Director, advisory committees, staff, State officials, and the public. Candidates should have excellent oral and written communication skills, be willing to occasionally travel, and able to meet strict deadlines. Candidates interested in the position of Chair should indicate that interest. The Chair must be prepared to testify on behalf of the Board before legislative committees, as well as prepare a weekly report for the Governor. Candidates must be committed to full-time employment with the Board.
To read more information and apply by the December 31st deadline, click here.
