Guest Opinion: Testimony Of Commissioner Kimberly Roy Before The Joint Committee On Cannabis Policy
April 14, 2025
Re: Opposition to dismantling current codified ownership limits
Re: Opposition to dismantling current codified ownership limits
Agency chair: “Repeated budget reductions have constrained our ability to deliver necessary regulatory work in a timely manner.”
Massachusetts business owners, industry trade groups, and advocates ask lawmakers to reform the Cannabis Control Commission
The hearings were prompted by reports of turmoil at the commission and state Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro’s call for the agency to be put under receivership
“The Committee will be inviting various Massachusetts cannabis industry stakeholders to testify.” Chief concerns include “proper channels of accountability within the agency structure.”
We are in need of urgent solutions, and the role that cannabis can play is not only compelling, it’s a practical, non-lethal and legal tool in the kit that we could be employing as a harm reduction method.
“If you don’t regulate to ensure good wages, then you won’t get them from the industry. … This is something that we should have already done to begin with.”
But there’s pushback: “The regulations make it nearly impossible to open and stay in business.”
Beacon Hill hearing included story about alleged regulator retaliation against testing lab
Significant decreases reported in psychological symptoms and alcohol, opioid, and tobacco use
