Best Dispensary Near Me Bennington VT: Two Shops, 20% Tax (2026)

Bennington sits at the southwestern corner of Vermont — the western anchor of the Molly Stark Trail (Route 9), the gateway to the Green Mountains for travelers coming north from Massachusetts on Route 7, and home to the tallest structure in Vermont: the 306-foot Bennington Battle Monument. It also has two CCB-licensed adult-use cannabis dispensaries.

TL;DR — Bennington Cannabis at a Glance

Juniper Lane Cannabis — Bennington's First, and Women-Founded

Juniper Lane Cannabis at 445 Main Street opened November 9, 2022 — among Vermont's earliest adult-use openings, just six weeks after the state launched legal retail sales on October 1. Founder Colleen McQuade built one of the first women-owned adult-use cannabis shops in southern Vermont.

The buying experience reflects that origin. Juniper Lane curates its selection from Vermont craft growers rather than chasing volume: you'll find tiered options from smalls and shake up to premium heady flower, plus a full range of concentrates, edibles, and vapes. The staff approach is deliberately inclusive and low-pressure — it is explicitly designed to be approachable for first-time buyers and returning customers alike.

Hours: Monday–Saturday 9:00 AM–8:00 PM; Sunday 10:00 AM–6:00 PM. The 9 AM weekday and Saturday open is the earliest among Bennington's dispensaries and among the earliest in the broader region. If you need cannabis before 10 AM on any weekday or Saturday, Juniper Lane is your only option in town.

Discounts: 10% off for veterans and for government-assistance recipients. Loyalty rewards program available. Confirm current rates and any active specials at (802) 440-5755 or juniperlanecannabis.com.

Silver Therapeutics — Multi-State Operator on the Route 7 Corridor

Silver Therapeutics at 201 Northside Drive is Bennington's second dispensary, positioned on the Route 7 commercial strip north of downtown. The chain operates locations across Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, and New York, bringing multi-state operator scale to the southwestern Vermont market.

Where Juniper Lane is curated, Silver Therapeutics is comprehensive. The product range covers flower, pre-rolls, edibles, vaporizers, concentrates, tinctures, and topicals. Online ordering is available through silver-therapeutics.com — browse the current menu and set up a pickup order before you arrive.

Hours: Monday–Saturday 10:00 AM–8:00 PM; Sunday 10:00 AM–6:00 PM. The 10 AM open and 8 PM close on weekdays and Saturday mirror Juniper Lane's close but open an hour later. Both shops share the same Sunday 10 AM–6 PM schedule.

Location note: 201 Northside Drive is on the Route 7 commercial strip north of the historic downtown — more convenient if you're coming from or heading north toward Manchester and Rutland, and easier to park for a quick stop without navigating the downtown one-way grid.

Which Shop Should You Choose?

Both dispensaries are legitimate options. The practical differences:

• Earlier start: Juniper Lane opens at 9 AM Monday–Saturday. If you need cannabis at 9 AM on a weekday, Silver Therapeutics isn't open yet.
• Discounts and loyalty: Juniper Lane's 10% veteran and government-assistance discount has no direct counterpart confirmed at Silver Therapeutics as of this writing — check both shops for current specials.
• Online ordering: Silver Therapeutics supports online pickup orders; Juniper Lane does not currently list this feature.
• Downtown vs. commercial strip: Juniper Lane is walkable from Main Street tourism and the Battle Monument; Silver Therapeutics is easier to access by car from Route 7 north.
• Craft vs. volume: Juniper Lane's curated Vermont-grower focus works well for flower connoisseurs; Silver Therapeutics' multi-state depth tends to mean more SKUs and better in-stock consistency on edibles and vapes.

Cannabis Tax in Bennington: 20% (For Now)

Vermont imposes a 14% cannabis excise tax and a 6% state sales tax — a combined base rate of 20%. Many Vermont municipalities have adopted an additional 1% local option tax, bringing their total to 21%: Burlington, Brattleboro, Middlebury, and Montpelier all charge 21%.

Bennington has not yet adopted the local option tax. As of July 2026, the combined rate at both Bennington dispensaries is 20% — one percentage point lower than most of Vermont's larger markets. On a $100 pre-tax purchase, that's $20 in tax instead of $21.

Important caveat: A public information forum on the local option tax is scheduled for July 28, 2026. Town meeting adoption is possible at a future date. Confirm the current rate at the register before you pay.

The Route 9 Molly Stark Trail Angle

Route 9 — the Molly Stark Trail — connects Bennington to Wilmington (22 miles east, ~30 minutes) and continues to Brattleboro (about 40 miles east, ~1 hour). Bennington is the western trailhead. If you're driving Route 9 eastbound toward Mount Snow, Wilmington, or Brattleboro, both Bennington dispensaries are a natural stop near the start of the drive. Wilmington has two dispensaries of its own (Ratu's Cannabis Supply and Matterhorn Apothecary) if you need a second stop further east.

Skiing Nearby: Stratton, Bromley, and Mount Snow

Bennington is within reach of three major ski destinations. Stratton Mountain (~35 miles north via Route 7A to Manchester, then Route 11/30 east) and Bromley Mountain (~30 miles north via Route 7A, then Route 11 east) pull significant weekend traffic through Bennington on Route 7A. Mount Snow (~22 miles east on Route 9 to Wilmington, then Route 100 north) sits just off the Molly Stark Trail. In ski season, both dispensaries see visitors stopping on the way in or out — plan for Saturday morning rush if you're shopping before a ski day.

More Selection: Manchester VT (20 Minutes North)

If you want a third option or are heading north on Route 7A toward Stratton or Bromley, Green Mountain Cannabis Works in Manchester Center is about 20 miles north of Bennington — roughly 25–30 minutes. Located at 4542 Main Street, Manchester VT 05255 ((802) 367-3562; greenmountaincannabisworks.com), it is open daily 11:00 AM–7:00 PM. Confirm Manchester's local-option tax status separately — the rate there may differ from Bennington's 20%.

Vermont Cannabis Law in 2026 (S.278)

Vermont Senate Bill S.278 took effect July 1, 2026, doubling possession limits for adults 21 and older. You may now possess up to 2 ounces of cannabis flower and 10 grams of concentrate, and purchase up to 2 ounces of flower (or equivalent) in a single transaction. The old limits were 1 ounce and 5 grams. Standard Vermont rules apply: no public consumption, no consumption while driving, valid government-issued photo ID required at point of sale, adults 21+ only. Cannabis purchased in Vermont must remain in Vermont — cross-state transport is a federal offense regardless of the legal status in neighboring states.

See also: Juniper Lane Cannabis full listing — 445 Main St, Mon–Sat 9–8, Sun 10–6, veteran + assistance discount; Silver Therapeutics full listing — 201 Northside Dr, Mon–Sat 10–8, Sun 10–6, online ordering; All Bennington dispensaries directory; Wilmington VT near Mount Snow — two dispensaries, 22 miles east on Rt 9; Best Dispensary Near Me Brattleboro VT — three shops, ~40 miles east; Best Dispensary Near Me Bellows Falls VT — Rolling Twenties, southeastern Vermont; Vermont Cannabis Law Changes 2026 (S.278); Full Vermont dispensary directory; Vermont Strain Match — find the right product by effect.