“The Committee will be inviting various Massachusetts cannabis industry stakeholders to testify.” Chief concerns include “proper channels of accountability within the agency structure.“
During a media availability on Monday afternoon, Cannabis Control Commission members rejoiced over advancing certain long-awaited changes to state regulations. Specifically, after years of lobbying by stakeholders and preliminary bureaucratic steps, they’re coming closer to eliminating a costly rule that requires delivery companies to staff each vehicle with two drivers.
Speaking to reporters, they acknowledged that there is a lot of work to be done on various other fronts, but maintained a general enthusiasm. Commissioner Kimberly Roy touted changes “in the delivery space” that business owners spent “close to four years … advocating for,” and anticipated the body further addressing an extension of the exclusivity period for Social Equity holders of those license classes. Roy also noted progress toward “overdue” changes to the Microbusiness category that could “help folks in that space scale up … as it becomes more feasible to grow.”
Commissioner Nurys Camargo, meanwhile, said she’s looking forward to working on additional requested adjustments to delivery, like allowing for fulfillment in “no towns” with bans on recreational dispensaries, as well as to hotels. “Policy-making takes time,” she said, adding that commissioners “want people to be successful in their businesses,” and need to continue to revisit and edit certain regulations for that to happen.
Even with momentum in those areas, though, the CCC remains under a microscope. Arguably the most closely observed bureaucracy in Massachusetts, the agency has been the subject of frequent scrutiny by the press, state legislators, and Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro. Earlier this year the IG launched a public campaign calling for the agency to be put into receivership, in the process releasing a laundry list of “symptoms” ranging from human resources debacles to data insecurity. State lawmakers did not move to appoint a receiver in their last session, but pledged to launch a legislative review this fall. On Monday, legislators made the announcement:
The Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy will hold an informational hearing to aid in the Committee’s reconsideration of the Cannabis Control Commission’s enabling statute, as identified in a memo released on July 30, 2024. The Committee will be inviting various Massachusetts cannabis industry stakeholders to testify. Of chief concern are the matters of (1) responsibility for agency operations and (2) proper channels of accountability within the agency structure.
That July memo, signed by Rep. Daniel Donahue and the other members of the Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy, stated:
The Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy recognizes the need for clarity in structure and accountability at the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC). This recognition is informed by observation of the CCC’s function, testimony at committee hearings, and input from industry stakeholders. The Committee foresees a legislative path forward addressing the sources of concerns about the CCC’s administrative function.
This path will include revisiting some provisions of the CCC’s enabling statute. Of chief concern to the Committee are the matters of (1) responsibility for agency operations and (2) proper channels of accountability within the agency structure.
The Committee wishes to revisit the following statutory sections:
- “The chair shall have and exercise supervision and control over all the affairs of the commission.” Chapter 10 section 76 (h).
- “The executive director… shall be the executive and administrative head of the commission and shall be responsible for administering and enforcing the law relative to the commission and to each administrative unit thereof.” Chapter 10 section 76 (j).
- The definition and use of the term “commission” throughout Chapter 10 section 76 and Chapter 94G section 4.
Further, the Committee has identified broader opportunities for reconsideration, including appointment and removal powers, as well as the structural model of the agency itself. The Committee will hold hearings in the fall to further gather input on how to ensure that the CCC carries out its mission of safely, equitably, and effectively implementing and administering the laws enabling access to medical and adult-use cannabis in the Commonwealth.
The hearing will take place on Wednesday, Oct. 30 starting at 11am in hearing room B-1 at the Massachusetts State House. “Each testifier will have three minutes to speak, followed by questions from Committee members. Please be advised that the schedule and agenda are subject to change at the discretion of the Chairs.” People can also sign up to testify virtually.