An early-October burst of spending by opponents of an attempt to eliminate the recreational marijuana industry has pushed the total amount spent on that measure (Question 8) to nearly $6.5 million. That’s a good chunk more than the $5.9 million spent for and against the all-party primary question so far.
Marijuana
Posted inOpinion
The crucial marijuana question not on the ballot: Why has Massachusetts failed to educate the public on the harmful effects of cannabis and monitor the impact of its growing use, especially on young people?
Despite clear evidence that cannabis has had negative health effects in Massachusetts, our state has done little to survey and confront these harmful consequences.
Posted inOpinion
I’ve operated both alcohol and cannabis businesses. Here’s which is more heavily regulated.
My experiences as an operator in both industries is that cannabis, despite being safer than alcohol, is already regulated much more strictly.
Posted inOpinion
Massachusetts must regulate cannabis like alcohol and tobacco
The retail cannabis sector faces a fraction of the regulatory strictness, compliance checks, and public safety enforcement applied to other age-restricted products.
Posted inState Government
Competitiveness fears weave through budget hearings
“There is almost perfect correlation between expensive states and outmigration, and we are a very expensive state,” testified Eric Paley, Gov. Maura Healey’s secretary of economic development, at a budget hearing in in Barnstable.
Posted inBallot Questions
National dark money anti-pot group bankrolling efforts to ban recreational marijuana in Mass., Maine
A national anti-pot organization allowed to hide its donors is bankrolling an effort to eliminate recreational marijuana use in Massachusetts, representing a fraction of the more than $11 million raised so far on a record-breaking set of ballot questions.
Posted inState Government
Our top five Beacon Hill stories of 2025
The Democrats who control the levers of power in Massachusetts spent most of the year fretting about upheaval from the federal government and preparing for more expansive action down the line.
Posted inMarijuana
Social pot consumption vote could come by Christmas
Chair Shannon O’Brien offered the latest timeline at the end of a meeting on Friday, as commissioners also learned that a new member, Carrie Benedon, is joining the commission.
Posted inMarijuana
Back for another term: Bruce Stebbins on his reappointment to the cannabis commission and his vision for the coming five years
“We continue to be a place that people want to come and work,” said Bruce Stebbins, acting chair of the Cannabis Control Commission in a Q&A about his reappointment to the board.
Posted inMarijuana
Mass. lawmakers weigh competing bills on cannabis advertising requirements
Those in the cannabis industry are saying that the strict advertising laws on cannabis hurt their businesses while those on the other side say that the laws need to be more stringent.
Posted inMarijuana
Cannabis social equity training program back on after a year-long pause
The Cannabis Control Commission’s training program for those most impacted by the war on drugs is set to resume September 8 after a year-long delay the agency attributes to budget constraints.
Posted inMarijuana
Cannabis commission plans to launch social consumption in October
“I obviously appreciate that we’re a little behind…the schedule that we laid out last December, but I still think we’re making great progress,” said Bruce Stebbins, acting chair of the cannabis commission, about a delay on social consumption regulations.
Posted inMarijuana
Deep divide: The cannabis industry remains split over how many dispensaries a single business should own
“Meeting with equity licensees, I heard overwhelmingly from them in large numbers that they’re highly concerned about the bill out of the house to raise the license cap,” said Kimberly Roy, a member of the Cannabis Control Commission.
Posted inMarijuana
House cannabis bill targets intoxicating hemp edibles, but critics warn enforcement gaps will remain
Massachusetts is cracking down on intoxicating hemp edibles, but critics say new rules fall short without funding for enforcement.
Posted inOpinion
Cannabis reform bill is important step forward
We need laws and regulations that enable us to thrive —not just survive — and give us a fair shot at growth and sustainability.
Posted inMarijuana
Cannabis commission remains short-handed as the agency works on social consumption and other pressing issues
The Cannabis Control Commission is down to just 3 members, with no timeline for appointing a new chair or commissioner with big decisions – including social consumption rules – ahead.
Posted inMarijuana
Cannabis commission, elected leaders out of sync on budget ask
“You’ve got plenty of money. Stop the nonsense and start figuring it out and start rolling up your sleeves,” said Rep. Michael Soter in response to the Cannabis Control Commission’s ask for more money.
Posted inMarijuana
Legislators are pushing for more forceful action on intoxicating hemp-derived products
With an uneven crackdown on hemp-derived products, which contain the same active ingredient as cannabis but are not regulated the same way, legislators are looking to put the Cannabis Control Commission in charge.
Posted inMarijuana
Legislators consider 8 bills to increase cap on cannabis dispensary ownership
Eight bills in this legislative session seek to increase the number of dispensaries or cannabis establishments that any one business can own, but nearly 60 cannabis industry leaders and business owners have come together to oppose the push to increase the cap.
Posted inMarijuana
Mass. inspector general calls on cannabis regulators to conduct an audit over $550,000 in uncollected fees
MASSACHUSETTS INSPECTOR GENERAL Jeffrey Shapiro called on the Cannabis Control Commission to conduct an audit following the commission’s failure to collect approximately $550,000 in licensing fees since August 2022. In […]
Posted inMarijuana
Cannabis commission punts on long-term decision to keep cannabis delivery exclusive to social equity businesses
Cannabis commission extends period in which cannabis delivery licenses are only available to social equity businesses by a year but is punting on decision of whether to extend it further until the agency can collect more data.
Posted inMarijuana
Massachusetts cannabis industry struggles with diversity in senior leadership despite equity mandates
A lack of diversity persists at the senior leadership level in the cannabis industry, and industry leaders are calling on the commission to enforce diversity goals.
