Massachusetts Lawmakers Planning Major Cannabis Industry Reforms
- Massachusetts is poised to pass a proposal introducing major reforms to its adult-use and medical cannabis industries, including doubling the purchase limit on cannabis flower from one to two ounces and lifting restrictions on cannabis seed sales.
- The proposal allows licensed cannabis retailers to advertise discounts and loyalty programs, reduces the Cannabis Control Commission from five to three governor-appointed commissioners, and increases the license limit per operator from three to six.
- The bill removes the requirement for medical retailers to produce and manufacture their own products, aiming to streamline and modernize the industry’s regulatory framework.
- While the legislation moves forward, opponents are campaigning to repeal Massachusetts' regulated adult-use cannabis market via a ballot initiative later this year.
Massachusetts is set to pass a proposal this week containing significant reforms to the state’s adult-use and medical cannabis industries, WGBH reports.
The changes described in the House-Senate compromise proposal include doubling the purchase limit on cannabis flower from one to two ounces, lifting restrictions on the sale of cannabis seeds, and allowing licensed retailers to advertise discounts and customer loyalty programs.
The proposal also reduces the Cannabis Control Commission from five commissioners to three, all appointed by the governor, and raises the number of licenses a cannabis operator can hold from three to six.
The bill also removes a requirement that medical retailers must produce and manufacture their own products.
State Sen. Adam Gómez (D) said the proposal “strengthens oversight and accountability by restructuring the Cannabis Control Commission, streamlining its leadership and clarifying roles and responsibilities so that each can operate more efficiently and transparently.”
“At a high level, this legislation recognizes that our cannabis industry has matured and that our regulatory framework must evolve along with it.” — Gómez, in a statement
If lawmakers do pass the compromise legislation, the bill will go to Gov. Maura Healey (D) for her consideration.
Meanwhile, anti-cannabis advocates are pushing Massachusetts voters to repeal the state’s regulated adult-use market at the ballot box later this year.