Why should cannabis cultivators and processors attend NECANN Vermont 2026?
The premier B2B cannabis convention for Vermont’s craft-focused market brings together cultivators, manufacturers, and industry professionals navigating one of America’s most distinctive regulatory environments. Vermont’s commitment to small-batch, artisanal cannabis production sets it apart from volume-driven markets elsewhere.
NECANN Vermont returns to the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction on April 17-18, 2026, positioning attendees to prepare for the growing season ahead. The April timing allows equipment purchases and compliance adjustments before peak cultivation begins.
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Vermont generated $139.2 million in cannabis sales in 2024, with August 2025 posting the highest monthly total ($13.64 million) since market launch.
Whether you’re evaluating seed-to-sale tracking systems, comparing plastic-free packaging solutions meeting Vermont’s unique requirements, or exploring the new Trim and Harvest Service license category, NECANN Vermont brings together the decision-makers shaping the future of craft cannabis under one roof.
NECANN Vermont 2026 at a Glance 🇺🇸
Dates April 17-18, 2026
Location Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction, VT
Expected Attendance 2,500+ professionals, 150-200 exhibitors
Official Website necann.com/vermont
Confirmed Last verified: January 2, 2026
Essex Junction
44.49°N 73.11°W Who Should Attend NECANN Vermont
NECANN Vermont attracts cannabis industry professionals seeking to understand Vermont’s unique craft cannabis market and navigate its distinctive regulatory environment.
Cultivators navigating tiered licensing from 1,000 sq ft Tier 1 to 25,000 sq ft indoor
Processors and manufacturers exploring three-tier extraction licensing
Compliance officers implementing Act 56 harvest date and packaging requirements
Investors assessing opportunities in Vermont’s $139M+ market
Equipment vendors connecting with ~400 licensed cultivators and 106+ retailers
Policy advocates engaging on license moratoriums and social equity outcomes
Why NECANN Vermont Matters in 2026
Vermont’s cannabis market entered 2026 fundamentally different than 18 months prior. The Cannabis Control Board implemented licensing moratoriums in late 2024 and early 2025, pausing new retail and cultivation applications. For attendees, the question is no longer “how do I enter?” but “how do I succeed within current constraints?”
Act 56, enacted June 2025, introduced operational changes producers are still implementing. Harvest dates and packed-on dates are now required on all packaging. The new Trim and Harvest Service license ($500 annually) created opportunities for support businesses serving craft cultivators needing seasonal labor.
Vermont generated $139.2 million in cannabis sales in 2024, with August 2025 posting the highest monthly total ($13.64 million) since market launch in October 2022.
The Marijuana Herald, August 2025Planning Your NECANN Vermont Trip
Whether you’re attending for the first time or returning to expand your network, these practical tips will help you maximize your conference experience.
🏨 Accommodation
- Book 4-6 weeks in advance; April tourism season creates demand
- Downtown Burlington (10 min) offers walkable dining and nightlife
- South Burlington (5-10 min) has major hotel chains
- Essex Junction itself has limited but convenient options
📆 Schedule Overview
- Friday, April 17: Exhibit hall and educational sessions
- Saturday, April 18: Exhibit hall and networking
- Cash-only ticket sales at door
- Moved from May to April for 2026 – earlier for growing season prep
✈️ Getting to Essex Junction
- Burlington International Airport (BTV) – 10 minutes away
- Connections through Boston, NYC, Philadelphia
- Driving: Montreal (90 min), Boston (3.5 hrs), NYC (5 hrs)
- 5,000+ on-site parking spaces at Champlain Valley Expo
🎪 If You’re Exhibiting
- Reserve booth space early; premium locations fill quickly
- Prepare Vermont-specific materials highlighting Act 56 compliance
- No cannabis products permitted at venue
- Contact sales@necann.com for exhibitor inquiries
Vermont Regulatory Context
Key Regulatory Topics at NECANN Vermont
- Tiered Cultivation Licensing: Vermont offers cultivation tiers from 1,000 sq ft (Tier 1 at $750/year) to 25,000 sq ft indoor, with moratoriums currently affecting some tiers
- Act 56 Labeling Requirements: Harvest date and packed-on date now mandatory on all cannabis product packaging as of July 2025
- Plastic-Free Packaging: Rule 2.2.9(b) requires reusable, non-plastic packaging with limited exceptions for child-resistant containers
- Seed-to-Sale Tracking: Vermont allows multiple tracking providers; compare BioTrack and alternatives for CCB compliance
Understanding Vermont’s regulatory environment is essential for any operator considering market entry or optimizing existing operations. The Cannabis Control Board oversees a craft-focused framework designed to protect small cultivators while maintaining rigorous compliance standards.
Related: Seed to Sale Software🌿 Vermont’s Craft Cannabis Revolution
Vermont has deliberately positioned itself as a craft cannabis state, similar to its renowned craft beer and artisanal cheese industries. Understanding the regulatory framework protecting this vision is critical for operators attending NECANN Vermont 2026.
Key Facts for NECANN Vermont Attendees
- ✓ Historic Legislative First: Vermont became the first U.S. state to legalize recreational cannabis through the legislature (January 2018) rather than ballot initiative
- ✓ CCB Oversight: Three-member Cannabis Control Board established through Act 164 of 2020 oversees licensing, rulemaking, and social equity programs
- ✓ License Moratoriums: CCB closed Tier-3 and Mixed Tier-2 cultivation licenses in April 2024; retail and additional cultivation paused late 2024/early 2025
- ✓ $139.2M in 2024 Sales: Far exceeded state projections; H1 2025 tracking nearly 10% higher than same period in 2024
- ✓ Social Equity Fund: $1.5 million Cannabis Business Development Fund provides fee waivers, grants, and technical assistance to qualifying applicants
- ✓ State Testing Lab: Vermont preparing first state-run cannabis testing lab to complement two existing private laboratories
- ✓ 30% THC Flower Limit: Potency caps of 30% THC for flower and 60% for solid concentrates distinguish Vermont from unlimited-potency markets
💡 Did You Know?
CCB Chair James Pepper has stated Vermont’s industry “will have a hard time competing with other states from a purely volume basis” when federal legalization occurs, instead advocating for “a diversified ecosystem of small and craft cultivators” – a deliberate policy choice shaping every aspect of Vermont’s cannabis market.
What This Means for NECANN Vermont Attendees
The convergence of license moratoriums, craft-focused regulations, and plastic-free packaging requirements creates unique challenges and opportunities. Attendees should prepare to discuss municipal opt-in strategies, compliant tracking system alternatives, and equipment supporting energy efficiency for indoor cultivation. The market rewards operators who understand Vermont’s distinctive regulatory philosophy.
Note: Cannabis regulations evolve rapidly. This information is for educational purposes only and should be verified with current CCB guidance at ccb.vermont.gov.
Operational Challenges Facing Vermont Cannabis Operators
Cannabis businesses operating in Vermont’s craft-focused market encounter operational complexities that require significant planning and system adaptation. Conference attendees frequently discuss these common challenges:
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Plastic-Free Packaging Compliance
Sourcing child-resistant containers that meet Rule 2.2.9(b) requirements while maintaining product freshness and regulatory compliance
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Act 56 Labeling Implementation
Updating packaging workflows to include mandatory harvest dates and packed-on dates while managing existing inventory transitions
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Craft-Scale Efficiency
Optimizing operations within tiered canopy limits while maintaining quality standards and margins in a saturated market
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Municipal Opt-In Navigation
Understanding which Vermont municipalities have opted in for retail and cultivation, and planning expansion accordingly
What to Prepare Before NECANN Vermont
Maximize your conference ROI by arriving prepared. Use this checklist to ensure you’re ready to make the most of every networking opportunity and business meeting.
📄 Documents to Bring
- Current license documentation and tier status
- Business cards with Vermont contact info
- Product specs highlighting Vermont compliance features
- Municipal opt-in research for expansion areas
- Social equity certification if applicable
- Current packaging samples for vendor consultations
❓ Questions to Ask Vendors
- How does your system support plastic-free packaging requirements?
- What BioTrack or CCB-compliant tracking integrations exist?
- Can labeling accommodate harvest and packed-on date requirements?
- How do you support craft-scale Tier 1-2 operations?
- What energy efficiency features help with indoor cultivation costs?
- Do you have Vermont operator references I can contact?
📊 What to Compare
- Seed-to-sale platforms with Vermont tracking provider integration
- Packaging solutions: child-resistant metal containers, paper tubes, compliant tins
- Private lab vs. upcoming state lab testing pricing and turnaround
- Cultivation equipment optimized for Vermont’s tiered canopy limits
- Labeling systems supporting Act 56 date requirements
- Energy-efficient HVAC and lighting for indoor operations
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from cannabis professionals planning to attend NECANN Vermont 2026.
Is NECANN Vermont B2B only?
NECANN Vermont is primarily B2B focused, attracting industry professionals including cultivators, processors, retailers, and ancillary service providers. However, consumers 21+ can attend to learn about the industry.
What is the age requirement?
21+ with ID verification at entry. This applies to all attendees regardless of whether they work in the cannabis industry.
How much do tickets cost?
Pricing for 2026 has not yet been announced. Check necann.com/vermont for updates. Cash-only ticket sales are available at the door.
Where is Essex Junction?
Essex Junction is immediately northeast of Burlington, approximately 10 minutes by car from downtown Burlington and Burlington International Airport (BTV).
Can I bring cannabis products?
No. Cannabis products are strictly prohibited at the venue. This is a networking and educational event only.
Why did NECANN Vermont move to April?
The 2026 event moved from May to April 17-18, positioning earlier in the year for outdoor cultivators preparing for growing season. This timing allows equipment purchases and compliance adjustments before peak cultivation begins.
Software Solutions for Vermont Craft Cannabis
Operating in Vermont requires seed-to-sale software that handles flexible tracking provider integration while supporting the complexities of tiered cultivation licensing, plastic-free packaging documentation, and Act 56 labeling compliance. These systems help craft operators maintain audit-ready records across cultivation, processing, and distribution activities.
GrowerIQ provides flexible tracking integration for Vermont cannabis compliance, craft-scale workflows supporting Tier 1-2 operations, harvest date and batch tracking from seed through sale, and CCB compliance documentation automation.
Ready to Simplify Your Vermont Cannabis Compliance?
See how craft cannabis operations in Vermont use GrowerIQ to manage seed-to-sale traceability, CCB compliance, and regulatory reporting.
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About GrowerIQ
GrowerIQ is a complete cannabis production management platform. Ours is the first platform to integrate your facility systems, including sensors, building controls, QMS, and ERP, into a single simplified interface.
GrowerIQ is changing the way producers use software - transforming a regulatory requirement into a robust platform to learn, analyze, and improve performance.
To find out more about GrowerIQ and how we can help, fill out the form to the right, start a chat, or contact us.
GrowerIQ is changing the way producers use software - transforming a regulatory requirement into a robust platform to learn, analyze, and improve performance.
To find out more about GrowerIQ and how we can help, fill out the form to the right, start a chat, or contact us.