“Massachusetts is ready to reach the next frontier in regulated cannabis. On-site social consumption is no longer novel but represents the natural progression of our safely regulated industry.”
By Nurys Camargo and Bruce Stebbins, Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission
Massachusetts made history in 2018 when the first legal cannabis retailers on the East Coast opened. We are about to lead the way again as the Cannabis Control Commission takes up on-site social consumption regulatory reforms, which seek to expand an industry now facing cross-border competition, prioritize the success of small, equity-owned businesses and ensure our state remains an attractive destination for consumers near and far.
But first, let’s review how we got here. Bay Staters approved on-site social consumption in the 2016 ballot question that legalized adult-use cannabis, a vision that was then cemented in state law in 2017. The inaugural commission incorporated social consumption licenses in the first version of regulations to guardrail the legal industry but swiftly struck them based on feedback from officials and lawmakers who voiced concerns about public health and safety.
Fast forward to 2019: The commission created a pilot program that would offer potential businesses the opportunity to open in 12 cities and towns. However,
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