Gov. Maura Healey on Sunday, April 19, signed a measure that changes the state’s laws related to cannabis possession and retail sales — including doubling the amount of marijuana a person can buy, just in time for 4/20.
Healey said in a statement that cannabis “is an important part of the Massachusetts economy — supporting jobs and local businesses and generating revenue for cities and towns.”
“It’s important that we are doing everything we can to make sure this industry is set up for success and that we remain competitive in this fast-growing market,” Healey stated.
Here’s what the new law does:
Previous marijuana laws established a 1-ounce purchase and possession limit. The new bill increases the limit to 2 ounces.
It also increases the possession limit that would result in a civil penalty or drug awareness programming for those younger than 21, from 2 to 3 ounces.
Previous law held that a licensee could hold three cannabis shop licenses. That will be increased gradually over the next several years to six licenses. It gives priority to licensees who meet Social Equity, Minority Business, Woman Business, and Veteran Business standards.
The previous law required medical marijuana establishments to be vertically integrated – they had to grow and process the cannabis they sold. That’s no longer required.
The law authorizes new marijuana license categories, including event-based use, research licenses, and on-site consumption. The latter could allow local cannabis lounges.
The Cannabis Control Commission is being restructured, from five full-time commissioners to one full-time chair and two part-time commissioners. Previously, the governor, treasurer and attorney general appointed CCC members; now the governor has sole authority to appoint members, and the chair of the CCC serves the same length of time as the governor.
The governor now has 30 days to appoint new CCC members.
The CCC is required to audit all retail and medical marijuana businesses to make sure they’re complying with cap limits. The law also requires the CCC to conduct an economic analysis of the current cannabis excise tax rate and study patterns of cannabis use.
The bill also asks the CCC to study regulations for hemp-derived products that would align with the regulations for marijuana products.