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HOME / RESOURCES / 2026 VERMONT CANNABIS INDUSTRY PRIMARY ELECTION GUIDE

2026 Vermont Cannabis Industry Primary Election Guide

This is an easy-to-use guide for Vermont’s upcoming primary election on August 11th for the cannabis community. This guide includes helpful resources to register to vote, find a polling location, and become familiar with the 409 individual candidates running for state office this year on key issues essential for the adult-use cannabis market.

 
 
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Overview

The Vermont adult-use cannabis market has been operational for just over four years and remains a relatively new subject matter to many elected officials. Stigma surrounding cannabis still exists within state government, emphasizing the importance of voting in shaping the market's future. While voting isn't the only action we can take, it is a crucial one. Licensed market participants, patrons, and allies must actively engage in the electoral process to support a thriving market. We encourage all Vermonters, especially licensed market participants, to exercise their right to vote in the primary election on August 11th.

How and Where to Vote

In Vermont, you can register to vote before or on Election Day.

Primary Election Day → Vote in person at your designated polling location on Tuesday, August 11.

How to Vote Early → To vote early, return your ballot to the town clerk before the office closes on August 10, or bring it to your polling place on primary day.

Locate Your Polling Place → Use the interactive map from the Secretary of State’s Office to find your polling location. All polling places will close at 7 PM on Tuesday, August 11.

 
 
 
 

Quick Facts

  • Vermont has 30 state Senators, and all seats are up for election this cycle.

  • Vermont has 150 members in the House of Representatives. Every seat in the House is up for election this cycle.

  • In addition to legislators, 6 key elected officers are up for election this cycle: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Treasurer, Secretary of State, and Auditor.

 

  • In addition to state legislators and officers races this election cycle, local county races include Sheriffs, State Attorneys, Probate Judges, Assistant Judges, and High Bailiffs.

  • The Primary Election date is Tuesday, August 11, and the General Election is Tuesday, November 3.

 
 
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Where Do State Candidates Stand on Key Cannabis Issues?

We surveyed each of the 409 individual primary race campaigns and asked four key questions about the cannabis industry to gain a better understanding of the candidates.

Question 1 → Do you support appropriating a portion of the cannabis excise tax to fund equity-related policy initiatives, such as increasing access to land, housing, and capital?

Question 2 → Do you support appropriating a portion of the cannabis excise tax to fund industry-related investment and to better resource the Cannabis Control Board?

Question 3 → Do you support fair and well-regulated direct market distribution for small producers?

Question 4 → Do you support removing the cap and regulating THC in all cannabis flower or concentrates?

State Senate and House Races

Check how your local candidates responded to help inform your voting decision. Click on a county to find a list of races and candidates with their responses to our survey.

Are you a candidate who wants to fill out the survey or report an error? Please send us an email.

Statewide Officer Races

Check how your the 6 statewide candidates responded to help inform your voting decision.

Are you a candidate who wants to fill out the survey or report an error? Please send us an email.

  • Phil Scott (R), Incumbent

    • Question 1 – No response.

    • Question 2 – No response.

    • Question 3 – No response.

    • Question 4 – No response.

    Aly Richards (D), Non-Incumbent

    • Question 1 – Support.

    • Question 2 – Support.

    • Question 3 – Support.

    • Question 4 – Support.

    Amanda Janoo (D), Non-Incumbent

    • Question 1 – No response.

    • Question 2 – No response.

    • Question 3 – No response.

    • Question 4 – No response.

  • John S. Rodgers (R), Incumbent

    • Question 1 – Support.

    • Question 2 – Support, “I support using the tax. One of the first uses of said should be reducing the license fees on outdoor portion of mixed cultivator's licenses.”

    • Question 3 – Support.

    • Question 4 – Support.

    Esther Charlestin (D), Non-Incumbent

    • Question 1 – Support.

    • Question 2 – Support.

    • Question 3 – Support.

    • Question 4 – Support.

    Molly Gray (D), Non-Incumbent

    • Question 1 – Support.

    • Question 2 – Support.

    • Question 3 – Support.

    • Question 4 – No response, “I would tend to agree with removing the cap and regulating THC in all cannabis flower or concentrates. However, I would like to engage with your members and public health experts to learn more before I take a position.”

  • Charity R. Clark (D), Incumbent

    • Question 1 – No response.

    • Question 2 – No response.

    • Question 3 – No response.

    • Question 4 – No response.

    H. Brooke Paige (R), Non-Incumbent

    • Question 1 – No response.

    • Question 2 – No response.

    • Question 3 – No response.

    • Question 4 – No response.

  • Mike Pieciak (D), Incumbent

    • Question 1 – No response.

    • Question 2 – No response.

    • Question 3 – No response.

    • Question 4 – No response.

    Zachary Hampl (P), Non-Incumbent

    • Question 1 – No response.

    • Question 2 – No response.

    • Question 3 – No response.

    • Question 4 – No response.

    H. Brooke Paige (R), Non-Incumbent

    • Question 1 – No response.

    • Question 2 – No response.

    • Question 3 – No response.

    • Question 4 – No response.

  • Sarah Copeland Hanzas (D), Incumbent

    • Question 1 – No response.

    • Question 2 – No response.

    • Question 3 – No response.

    • Question 4 – No response.

    Rachel Shaw (P), Non-Incumbent

    • Question 1 – No response.

    • Question 2 – No response.

    • Question 3 – No response.

    • Question 4 – No response.

    H. Brooke Paige (R), Non-Incumbent

    • Question 1 – No response.

    • Question 2 – No response.

    • Question 3 – No response.

    • Question 4 – No response.

  • Time Ashe (D), Non-Incumbent

    • Question 1 – No response.

    • Question 2 – No response.

    • Question 3 – No response.

    • Question 4 – No response.

    Nicholas Graeter (D), Non-Incumbent

    • Question 1 – No response.

    • Question 2 – No response.

    • Question 3 – No response.

    • Question 4 – No response.

    Dan Towle (D), Non-Incumbent

    • Question 1 – No response.

    • Question 2 – No response.

    • Question 3 – No response.

    • Question 4 – No response.

    H. Brooke Paige (R), Non-Incumbent

    • Question 1 – No response.

    • Question 2 – No response.

    • Question 3 – No response.

    • Question 4 – No response.