Bruce Stebbins Reappointed to Second Five-Year Term on Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission
“I am excited to begin a new term, and want to thank the Governor, Attorney General and Treasurer for their confidence in my reappointment,” said Stebbins. “The Commission has ushered forward policies that level the playing field between licensees and host communities, will reduce regulatory burdens for small businesses, enhance product safeguards, and advance the state’s first Social Consumption Establishments. I look forward to collaborating with my colleagues, our team, lawmakers, and industry stakeholders to continue our momentum to ensure Massachusetts remains a leader when it comes to safe, equitable, and effective cannabis regulation.” Commissioner Ava Callender Concepcion said “Acting Chair Stebbins’ unwavering focus on regulating cannabis safely and thoughtfully has helped move Massachusetts forward. Together we have established the agency’s first-ever charter governing collaboration between the Commission and staff, supported key transitions in leadership, protected patient access on the Islands and beyond, and returned significant revenue to state coffers—just to name a few examples—so I am eager to see what his next term will bring.”
Executive Director Travis Ahern said “Acting Chair Stebbins has proven to be an expert on complex regulatory systems and a steady leader during times of change. We are grateful he will continue to serve to ensure our agency’s long-term success as Massachusetts’ $8 billion market continues to mature.”
Per statute, one of Massachusetts’ five Cannabis Control Commissioners is appointed to serve a five-year term for professional experience in oversight or industry management—including commodities, production or distribution in a regulated industry—based on a majority vote of the Governor, Attorney General and Treasurer. Last fall, Treasurer Goldberg appointed Commissioner Stebbins to serve as the agency’s Acting Chair as well.
According to a press release, during Acting Chair Stebbins’ term, the Commission has passed and/or implemented multiple major regulatory packages, including:
This month, the agency filed another round of draft regulations with the Secretary of the Commonwealth that will ultimately govern the on-site social consumption of cannabis, which culminated the contributions of an internal working group that Acting Chair Stebbins helped lead. To get to this point, members hosted several listening sessions, numerous stakeholder meetings, and offered an informal public comment period for initial feedback.
Other highlights of Commission progress during Stebbins’ tenure as Acting Chair include the agency’s hiring of Executive Director Travis Ahern following a nationwide search; continued outreach and engagement with the Legislature and municipalities, as well as policy-focused listening sessions and recurring meetings with Independent Testing Laboratories; the extension of an existing exclusivity period that carves out delivery licensure for participants of the Commission’s equity programming; multiple enforcement initiatives to enhance product safety and transparency in testing; and the approval of the agency’s first charter to govern operations and collaboration between Commissioners and staff.
Following the first two Marijuana Retailers opening in the Commonwealth in 2018, adult-use cannabis has generated more than $8 billion in gross sales. Meanwhile Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers have generated more than $1.48 billion in gross sales since the Medical Use of Marijuana Program transferred to Commission oversight that same year.
Prior to regulating cannabis, Acting Chair Stebbins was a Commissioner for the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, the agency responsible for implementing and overseeing the expanded gaming law. He has held numerous roles in local, regional, and federal government throughout his career.
The reappointment of Stebbins comes around the same time as a state audit finds the Commission mismanaged marijuana business licenses, resulting in lost revenue and regulatory failures.