A local cannabis business owner’s effort to grow his brand has instead turned into a significant financial setback

A local cannabis business owner’s effort to grow his brand has instead turned into a significant financial setback. Devon Deyhle has owned and operated his cannabis growing and selling business, Tall Truck, out of Peacham since October of 2018. He was recently hit with a $40,000 fine and a 60-day suspension of his grow license from the Vermont Cannabis Control Board in response to three violations of state rules: diverting Vermont-grown cannabis; transporting it out of state; and making a false statement to the board. In December, Deyhle visited a weed shop in Manhattan to which he delivered some of his cannabis, too. He says it was his first time visiting the location but that the manager was his friend. Deyhle decided the stop could double as an opportunity to help promote Tall Truck — recording the interaction and then posting to Instagram. The trouble was, the shop was not in Vermont, but in New York. While legal in both states, crossing state or international lines with it is illegal. After someone saw and reported the video, Deyhle says he received a letter from the CCB and informed him of the $40,000 fines and 60-day suspension. Last month, towards the end of February, Deyhle had a sit-down meeting with his lawyers whom he hired to help him get through this unexpected issue. “With their help and some of the generosity of the Cannabis Control Board, they allowed me to reduce the fines, reduced to $20,000 and the grow license suspension lifted. As long as he avoids any other violations over the next two years, Deyhle will not have to pay the other half of the $20,000 or face a license suspension.