“Over-regulation can unintentionally shut out diverse new entrants and impedes all businesses from achieving economic success.”
As we have reported at various stages these past few weeks, Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission Chair Shannon O’Brien is back in the driver’s seat following a contentious firing, two-year court battle, and reinstatement. You can read our coverage of her first meeting back at the CCC last week here.
At that meeting, Chair O’Brien said, “Our mandate is to ensure that this industry is both safe and fair. … We must balance strong consumer protections with a regulatory framework that does not impose excessive costs on responsible business owners. By doing so, we can support a sustainable marketplace that benefits consumers, entrepreneurs, and communities alike.”
She also promised to share her further “priorities for the agency as it continues to regulate the Commonwealth’s growing, $8 billion cannabis industry.” We reprinted the chair’s subsequent statement below, via the CCC …
Following her return to the Commission on Sept. 18, the Chair stated that among her first orders of business are the reduction of unnecessary regulatory burdens for Marijuana Establishments and Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers, the strengthening of Independent Testing Laboratory (ITL) oversight to protect public health, and the advancement of meaningful reforms to the Social Equity Program (SEP) to ensure greater economic opportunities for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by the War on Drugs.
O’Brien highlighted concerns that overly complex or duplicative requirements create unnecessary costs for cannabis businesses, particularly small operators. She pledged to lead a comprehensive review of regulations to streamline compliance without sacrificing safety.
“Over-regulation can unintentionally shut out diverse new entrants and impedes all businesses from achieving economic success,” O’Brien said. “Our goal is smart regulation that protects the public while allowing businesses to succeed.”
O’Brien also announced that she will prioritize stronger oversight measures and standardization for ITLs, noting that protecting consumer health is central to the agency’s mission. By improving lab accountability, standardizing quality controls, and enhancing transparency, the Chair noted that the Commission can ensure that every cannabis product sold in Massachusetts meets the highest safety standards.
Chair O’Brien also reaffirmed her commitment to building a more inclusive industry that reflects the communities most harmed by past cannabis prohibition. She underscored the importance of expanding access to capital, technical assistance, and licensing opportunities for equity applicants.
“If we are serious about repairing historic inequities, we must make equity more than just a principle—we must make it a practice,” Chair O’Brien said. “The Commission has a responsibility not only to regulate but to lead. By reducing barriers, strengthening safeguards, and centering equity, we will grow an industry that Massachusetts can be proud of.”
The Commission’s next public meeting is slated Thursday, Oct. 9.
