Best Dispensary Near Me Bristol VT: Emeraldrose Grows Guide (2026)

Bristol is a small Vermont town at the Route 116/Route 17 crossroads — where the north-south corridor connecting Burlington to Middlebury meets the east-west road that runs from the Crown Point Bridge on Lake Champlain through to the Mad River Valley. One CCB-licensed adult-use cannabis dispensary serves the town: Emeraldrose Grows at 11 Main Street, a farm-to-shelf shop with its own in-house cultivation arm and a grow supply section that sets it apart from most Vermont dispensaries.

Before you plan your visit: Emeraldrose Grows is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11:00 AM–5:00 PM only. The shop is closed on Sundays and Mondays. If your Bristol trip falls on a Sunday or Monday, or if you're arriving after 5 PM, the shop won't be open — the alternatives section below covers the nearest options.

TL;DR — Emeraldrose Grows at a Glance

Emeraldrose Grows: The Shop

Emeraldrose Grows occupies a storefront at 11 Main Street in Bristol's village center, steps from the town green. The shop's identity is built around cultivation: the in-house Emeraldrose Farms arm grows a selection of house cannabis available directly at the counter, supplemented by flower and products from carefully chosen local Vermont farm partners. The menu covers the full range — flower, pre-rolls, edibles, vape carts, elixirs, and tinctures — with a regional focus that favors Vermont-grown product over national brands.

The shop also maintains a grow supply section, serving home cultivators as well as cannabis consumers. This is an uncommon feature among Vermont retail dispensaries and reflects the operation's roots in cultivation rather than pure retail.

Hours (plan carefully): Tuesday–Saturday, 11:00 AM–5:00 PM. Closed Sunday and Monday. The six-hour window and two-day closure are the most important operational details for Bristol visitors — if you're traveling through on a weekend expecting a quick stop, note that Saturday closes at 5 PM and Sunday is not an option here.

Address: 11 Main St, Bristol VT 05443
Phone: (802) 453-2200
Website: emeraldrosegrows.com

See Emeraldrose Grows' full listing, current menu, and hours.

When Emeraldrose Is Closed: Your Nearest Alternatives

If you're visiting Bristol on a Sunday or Monday, or arriving after 5 PM on any weekday or Saturday, Emeraldrose Grows will be closed. The nearest open dispensaries:

• FLŌRA Cannabis (2 Park St, Middlebury; 802-989-7948; floravt.com; Mon–Fri 8 AM–7 PM, Sat 10 AM–6 PM, Sun 10 AM–5 PM) — ~8 miles south on Route 116. Vermont's first adult-use store; open every day including Sunday. Earliest open in the Middlebury market at 8 AM on weekdays.
• The Herbal Collective (1641 US-7, Middlebury; 802-377-2124; theherbalcollectivevt.com; Mon–Thu 10 AM–7 PM, Fri–Sat 10 AM–8 PM, Sun 10 AM–6 PM) — ~8 miles south on Route 116, then a short jog on US-7. Open every day; latest closing in the Middlebury market (8 PM Fri–Sat).
• Little City Greens (7 Green St, Vergennes; 802-870-7729; littlecitygreens.com; daily 9 AM–7 PM) — ~12 miles west via Route 17. Open daily including Sunday and Monday, and stays open until 7 PM — two hours past Emeraldrose's close. 15% discount for Vergennes residents.

Bristol's Location: The Route 116/Route 17 Crossroads

Bristol's position at the intersection of two significant Vermont routes gives it an unusual catchment area for a town its size.

Route 116 runs north-south through Bristol's center: north toward Hinesburg and Burlington (~25 miles), south toward Middlebury (~8 miles). For travelers on the Burlington-to-Middlebury corridor who aren't on US-7, Route 116 through Bristol is the direct path.

Route 17 runs east-west through Bristol: west toward Vergennes (~12 miles) and ultimately to Chimney Point and the Crown Point Bridge to New York (~25 miles from Bristol); east through Starksboro and Waitsfield toward the Mad River Valley ski areas (Sugarbush ~25 miles, Mad River Glen ~24 miles).

For travelers coming from New York via the Crown Point Bridge and heading toward the Mad River Valley ski areas, Bristol is the natural midpoint stop — with Emeraldrose Grows directly on Route 17 through the village. The critical caveat: arriving after 5 PM (or on Sundays/Mondays) means the shop is closed; Little City Greens in Vergennes (daily until 7 PM) is on the same Route 17 corridor and a better option for evening arrivals.

Bartlett Falls and Summer Visitors

Bartlett Falls — officially the New Haven River Gorge, on Lincoln Road just outside Bristol village — is one of Addison County's most-visited natural sites in summer. The falls drop into a deep swimming hole that draws cliff-jumpers and swimmers from across the region on hot days. The trailhead and parking area are approximately 1–2 miles from Emeraldrose Grows' front door on Main Street.

For summer visitors heading to Bartlett Falls: if you're arriving Tuesday through Saturday before 5 PM, Emeraldrose Grows is a convenient pre-swim stop. On Sundays, the shop is closed — FLŌRA Cannabis and The Herbal Collective in Middlebury are the nearest options, about 8 miles south on Route 116.

Bristol also hosts Vermont's longest-running Fourth of July parade — a community event since the 1800s. If visiting Bristol during the July 4th weekend, Emeraldrose Grows would be open on a Friday or Saturday (closed Sunday and Monday), and Middlebury dispensaries cover the rest of the long weekend.

Vermont Cannabis Rules in Bristol (2026)

Who can buy: Adults 21 and older with a valid government-issued photo ID — driver's license, passport, or Real ID. No medical card required.

Possession limits (S.278, effective July 1, 2026): Adults 21+ may possess up to 2 ounces of cannabis flower and 10 grams of concentrate. These limits were doubled from the prior 1 ounce and 5 grams.

Cannabis tax in Bristol: 21% total — 14% Vermont cannabis excise tax, plus the 6% Vermont state sales tax, plus Bristol's 1% local option tax. Bristol voters approved the local option tax in March 2026 (effective July 1, 2026). Menu prices at Emeraldrose Grows typically exclude tax; budget approximately $21 per $100 pre-tax. Confirm at time of purchase.

Where you can use: Private property only, with the property owner's permission. Cannabis use is prohibited in public — streets, parks, trailheads, swimming holes, and vehicles. Vermont has no licensed cannabis consumption lounges as of mid-2026. Do not use cannabis at Bartlett Falls or other public outdoor recreation sites.

Cross-state transport: Do not carry cannabis purchased in Vermont back across the Crown Point Bridge into New York or across any other state line. Federal law prohibits interstate cannabis transport regardless of either state's adult-use law.

See also: Emeraldrose Grows full listing — 11 Main St, Tue–Sat 11–5, farm-to-shelf; All Bristol dispensaries directory; Best Dispensary Near Me Middlebury VT — FLŌRA Cannabis + The Herbal Collective, ~8 miles south; FLŌRA Cannabis Middlebury — open every day including Sun; The Herbal Collective Middlebury — Fri–Sat until 8 PM; Best Dispensary Near Me Vergennes VT — Little City Greens, daily 9–7, ~12 miles west; Best Dispensary Near Me Burlington VT — ~25 miles north on Route 116; Vermont Cannabis Law Changes 2026 (S.278); Full Vermont dispensary directory; Vermont Strain Match — find the right product by effect.