The upcoming informational meeting and vote to decide whether Ludlow will allow a retail cannabis dispensary has been led by Andi Goldman and Meredith Milliken, the duo behind Gotta Love Ludlow, whose mission is to educate residents about cannabis for health and wellness as well as financial benefits for the town of Ludlow.
Their presentation to the Ludlow Selectboard Tuesday, Sept. 14 prompted the board to schedule the upcoming informational meeting Monday, Nov. 1 with a vote by Australian ballot to follow Tuesday, Nov. 2.
Goldman and Milliken were Ludlow second-homeowners for the last 18 years and are now full-time residents; their tagline “Knowledge is Power” is at the forefront of their message. Goldman, a former corporate and securities lawyer and an investment manager, has over seven years of legal cannabis industry experience. Milliken, who is vegan and pro-organic, is also a former competitive swimmer and trainer and is drawn to the legal cannabis forefront from the health and wellness side.
According to Act 164, Vermont towns or cities must vote by ballot to allow cannabis retailers to operate in their town. If a town decides to not hold a vote or do nothing, that town would be ineligible for a state-licensed dispensary. Town approval does not mean a retailer will open in that town, and local ordinances and permitting will still apply. Vermont will distribute cannabis dispensary licenses in October of 2022; the state will also look at a geographic distribution when awarding licenses.
Goldman and Milliken don’t want Ludlow to miss out on that opportunity.
“Let’s bring health and wellness into the town,” Goldman said. “Let’s benefit from it and regulate it.”
In addition to what they feel are the health benefits of cannabis, they have spelled out the other benefits to the town, including providing a living wage and benefits to over 30 employees; increased consumer traffic for the town’s businesses; attracting new businesses; direct impact fees to the town which could be written into a town ordinance; yearly licensing and renewal fees; mandated voluntary donations or the addition of a 1 percent local optional tax; and delivering a safer cannabis product since all legal retail cannabis must be tested for quality, purity, and potency by Vermont State Law.
“If it’s already happening, why not make it safer?” Goldman said.
They also want to emphasize that a dispensary is different than a headshop. According to Goldman, dispensaries are often designed like Apple stores: sleek and bright with a minimalist aesthetic. Visitors – who must show proof of being 21 years old or have a Vermont medical marijuana card – would be greeted upon entry and guided through the process, starting with offering a consultation on what product may work best for the desired outcome, or pointing them to a quicker line if they know what they want. “Budtenders” would be trained extensively by law and by intended practice. They also intend to work with a local technical school to establish training and educational programs. “It’s first about education and awareness,” Goldman said. (Photo By: Sharron Huntley/The…
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