SECOND ANNUAL CANNABIS IN THE CAPITOL FEBRUARY 13, 2019

Day includes activist training, address from Lt. Governor, networking with legislators, storytelling booth, and a hemp/CBD education fair in the cafeteria.

In the thick of the 2019 legislative session, Lieutenant Governor David Zuckerman, legislative leaders, and a coalition of cannabis reform advocacy groups, medical marijuana patients and caregivers, farmers and local business representatives are gathering in the State House on Tuesday, February 13 for a full day of press, advocacy and education.

The goal of this event is to further inform lawmakers and the public on the importance of timely cannabis reform in Vermont. This includes; reducing youth access, bringing greater social and racial justice to our laws, improving highway safety, as a medical treatment alternative to opioids, and the economic opportunities both presently being realized for locally-grown hemp and expanding our tourism sector.

Organizer Eli Harrington said that the original idea was presented by Representative Tom Stevens (D-Waterbury) and Will Read of CannaPlanners.

“Just like local food producers host the ‘Taste of Vermont’ exposition events in Montpelier and DC,” says Harrington, “this event is an opportunity for Vermont farmers, artisans, scientists, entrepreneurs, contractors, and professional service-providers to showcase our community and the incredibly diverse, talented, and creative Vermonters who make it so special.” Harrington adds, “This isn’t just for lawmakers and officials in the Statehouse. It’s also a chance for the public to learn, connect, and engage with Vermont’s fast-growing cannabis community!”

“Last year was an inspirational event with a broad range of professional entrepreneurs,” says Lt. Governor Zuckerman, “and I’m really looking forward to seeing the growth at this year’s event.”

The day kicks off at 10:00 a.m. with an advocacy workshop, in which members of the public are welcome to join cannabis reform lobbyists to discuss talking points, best practices for speaking with elected representatives, and some general pointers for navigating the state house and the lobbying process.

From 11-12 p.m., participants can attend committee meetings, network with other advocates, and share their cannabis stories at a storytelling station sponsored by Unhidden, the Heady Vermont podcast.

Participants can schedule lunch with their representatives from 12-12:30 p.m..

At 12:30 p.m., there will be a full press conference in the Cedar Creek Room on the second floor, which will feature Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman, other elected representatives and cannabis advocates.

Following the press conference, members of the public will meet with their own Representatives and Senators to speak with him/her/them directly about the issue of cannabis reform and visit the storytelling booth.

The last part of the day is the Cannabis in the Capitol Education Fair, taking place in the State House Cafeteria from 4:00-7:00 p.m.. The fair will feature a mix of 20 different advocacy groups, medical dispensaries, hemp farms, and CBD product producers, and will be open to the public and free for all participating.

Due to the location and nature of this event, there are no product sales allowed, only samples for demonstration purposes, and any marketing materials that vendors might have to share.

Interested participants can RSVP for the event on Facebook, and set up a meeting for February 13 by reaching out to their representatives via the state legislative website.

For more information and exhibiting inquiries for the Education Fair from 4:00-7:00pm, contact eli@headyvermont.com.