INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS Vermont At least 25 new municipalities opted into the adult-use marijuana industry and agreed to allow commercial cannabis retailers. During a widespread Town Meeting Day on March 1, roughly 40 towns held public votes on the issue. According to the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, 33 communities already had approved retail cannabis outlets before the vote. Existing medical marijuana dispensaries will be allowed to commence adult-use sales beginning May 1, while other retailers must wait until October. Washington state Starting April 2, adult-use cannabis products must be tested for pesticides. The state already tests medical marijuana products for pesticides. The new rules also allow the Liquor and Cannabis Board to test both recreational and medical marijuana products for heavy metals on a random basis or as part of an investigation. Separately, lawmakers failed to come to an agreement on a last-minute ban on intoxicating hemp-derived products such as delta-8 THC. Elected state officials looked at several bills to address hemp-derived intoxicants but did not arrive at a compromise. Note: Entries sourced from MJBizDaily, Hemp Industry Daily and other international, national and local news outlets. These developments occurred before this magazine's publication deadline, so some situations might have changed.https://www.high5packaging.com/