2025 Vermont Statutes
Title 7 - Alcoholic Beverages, Cannabis, and Tobacco
Chapter 33 - Cannabis Establishments
§ 883. Criminal background record checks; applicants
§ 883. Criminal background record checks; applicants
(a) The Board shall obtain from the Vermont Crime Information Center a copy of a fingerprint-based Vermont criminal history records, out-of-state criminal history records, and criminal history records from the Federal Bureau of Investigation for each license applicant, principal of an applicant, and person who controls an applicant who is a natural person. Checks may be repeated for good cause or with prudent frequency as determined by the Board.
(b) The Board shall adopt rules that set forth standards for determining whether an applicant should be denied a cannabis establishment license because of the applicant’s criminal history record based on factors that demonstrate whether the applicant presently poses a threat to public safety or the proper functioning of the regulated market. Nonviolent drug offenses shall not automatically disqualify an applicant.
(c) Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section or subsection 844(b) of this title, if required records are not reasonably available to the Board due to circumstances beyond its control, with the consent of the applicant, the Board may accept third-party criminal background checks from a reputable commercial provider. Any such third-party background check shall include a multistate and multijurisdiction criminal record locator. Consumer credit scores shall not be a basis for license denial. (Added 2019, No. 164 (Adj. Sess.), § 7, eff. Oct. 7, 2020; amended 2021, No. 158 (Adj. Sess.), § 13, eff. May 31, 2022; 2025, No. 56, § 5, eff. July 1, 2025.)
