Burlington Select Board backs lifting cannabis ban, puts referendum on April ballot

BURLINGTON -- January 27, 2025, Burlington Select Board votes to put marijuana referendum on April ballot and backs lifting the town's cannabis ban. The board voted 3-2 Monday to add a non-binding referendum question to the April town election ballot gauging resident sentiment on marijuana establishments, roughly eight years after Burlington last held a town-wide vote on the issue. The board then voted 3-1-1 to formally support Article 17 on the town meeting warrant, which would rescind the existing prohibition. Board member Michael Espejo argued the town "might as well reap the tax benefit" of cannabis sales given activity on Burlington's borders, while member Sarah Cawley announced she would abstain on the merits, saying she lacked sufficient information to represent community sentiment. Town Administrator Paul Sagarino confirmed the non-binding referendum carries no legal weight and any policy change would still require the full town meeting process. The board also voted unanimously to place the one-year remainder of retiring Town Clerk Amy Warfield's term on the same April ballot.