“Too often, decisions about this industry are made without hearing from the people actually doing the work.”
As Talking Joints Memo recently reported, members of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission are weighing a freeze on licenses in certain categories to help stabilize a saturated market.
At the same time, many of the workers, particularly on the cultivation side, have been trampled in the race to the bottom of the low-price barrel.
And on Wednesday, March 18, those with anything to say on all of the above will have a chance to speak out in a forum hosted by the CCC. From the agency’s announcement:
The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission will host two hybrid public Listening Sessions in Worcester on Wednesday, March 18 to receive feedback from constituents on issues related to worker safety and the possibility of temporarily freezing license applications for new cannabis businesses in the Commonwealth.
From 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Commissioners will accept feedback from cannabis industry stakeholders on how the Commission can improve worker safety and what regulatory and procedural changes can be made to promote healthy working environments.
From 1-3 p.m., Commissioners will turn to the possible licensing freeze. Commissioner Kimberly Roy first introduced the topic at the Commission’s Feb. 12 Public Meeting. During her presentation, she indicated that flower prices have declined 60-70% since market launch and continued expansion of cultivation capacity could exacerbate oversupply. As of February, 125 cultivation licensees, representing between 2,360,125 and 3,315,000 square feet of cultivation canopy, have received the Commission’s notice to commence operations in Massachusetts. There are another 47 cultivation licenses in the pipeline to get open as they move through the licensing stages.
To give testimony virtually or in person at the agency’s Union Station headquarters at 2 Washington Sq, Worcester, MA 01604, stakeholders are encouraged to sign-up in advance. For each topic, stakeholders who sign up to speak remotely will give testimony first, followed by those joining in-person.
Danny Carson Stair has led the charge on cannabis workplace issues in the commonwealth. The co-founder of the Coalition for Cannabis Worker Safety urged followers on social media ahead of next week’s listening session: “Cannabis workers across Massachusetts—this hearing is for you. … Workers have an opportunity to speak directly to regulators about what is really happening inside cannabis facilities.”
Carson Stair continued: “If you work in cultivation, trimming, packaging, manufacturing, retail, labs, or transport, your experience matters. Too often, decisions about this industry are made without hearing from the people actually doing the work. Public testimony can help bring attention to: workplace safety, environmental conditions, health impacts, industry pressure, product safety concerns.
“You don’t have to be a professional speaker. Just tell the truth about your experience. Worker safety and consumer safety are inseparable.”
For those who aren’t free next week, “the Commission will also review written comments submitted to Commission@CCCMass.com with the subject line ‘Licensing Freeze’ or ‘Worker Safety’ no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18. ”
