By Bob Katzen

House 153-0, approved and sent to the Senate a bill that makes several changes to the state’s cannabis laws that supporters say would allow the cannabis industry to continue growing responsibly. The bill makes changes to the structure of the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), increases the number of retail licenses that an entity may have, lowers the barrier to entry for medical marijuana retail, increases purchase limits for consumers and patients and addresses the selling of hemp products.

The bill creates an oversight structure for the importation, manufacture and sale of two forms of consumable federally legal hemp products: hemp beverages and consumable CBD products. Under the bill, both products may only be sold if registered with the CCC. The bill instructs the CCC to develop regulations for hemp product registration that aligns with regulations for marijuana products, including a prohibition on any product containing synthetic cannabinoids. The products may only be manufactured from concentrate that complies with federal potency limits on hemp.

Other provisions include increasing the purchase and possession limit from one to two ounces of marijuana; increasing from two ounces to three ounces the possession limit that would result in a civil penalty or drug awareness programming for those under 21; restructuring the CCC by making the governor the sole appointing authority – replacing current law which gives that authority to the trio of the governor, treasurer and attorney general; and requiring the chair of the CCC to serve coterminously with the governor.

The bill also incrementally raises from three to six the limit on the number of retail licenses any individual or entity may hold and requires that priority consideration for licenses be given to social equity businesses, minority businesses, woman businesses and veteran businesses.

“This legislation not only makes needed changes to the structure of the Cannabis CCC, it’s also representative of the House’s commitment to ensuring that the cannabis industry in Massachusetts is regulated in a manner that bolsters economic opportunity, especially for communities that were disproportionately impacted by the criminalization of marijuana,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy).

“[The bill] calls for restructuring the composition and appointing authority of the CCC, which has been seen for some time now as dysfunctional and, in the words of the Inspector General, ‘rudderless’ when it comes to who is responsible for overseeing its day-to-day operations,” said House Minority Leader Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “The bill contains additional reforms by establishing standards for licensing, compliance and testing of intoxicating hemp-derived beverages and other consumable CBD products which can cause impairment but are widely available at many of the state’s convenience stores and gas stations. I supported this bill because it will protect consumers and support businesses by strengthening the cannabis industry’s regulatory framework.”

(A “Yes” vote is for the bill.)

Rep. Christine Barber Yes Rep. Mike Connolly Yes Rep. Paul Donato Yes Rep. Erika Uyterhoeven Yes