(April 20, 2026) Gov. Maura Healey on Sunday signed into law a bill reforming the state’s cannabis regulations and rebooting the Cannabis Control Commission, just before the highest day of the year, referred to as 4/20.
The legislation shakes up several aspects of the state’s legal cannabis industry, and comes as the town and one of Nantucket’s dispensaries are squabbling over local regulations surrounding the delivery of marijuana products.
Under the legislation, delivery rules were clarified. The bill firmly states that “limited” delivery of marijuana is permitted in any municipality that allows recreational cannabis sales, of which Nantucket is one. Delivery of medical marijuana cannot be halted by any town or city in the state.
Carve outs allowing for the prohibition of recreational delivery only exist for towns that do not otherwise allow marijuana sales, and two-year moratoriums can be applied for in such cases.
Lawyers for Nantucket’s ACK Natural dispensary have been arguing that the off-island courier they have contracted to carry out deliveries since late last year, Social-J, cannot be stopped from delivering ACK Natural product to customers, citing state statutes and emphasizing the fact the while deliveries by Nantucket dispensaries may be banned locally, the delivery of products through a third-party service is not.
The Town of Nantucket, however, has maintained that delivery of marijuana on the island is strictly prohibited under local zoning and under the Host Community Agreement between the town and dispensary.
The town’s communications office has yet to respond to questions about local implications since the new bill was enacted, but offered comment when it was still awaiting Healey’s signature.
“Should the Bill be enacted, the Town will conduct a review in the normal course of business. This review will assess the implications of the new legislation and determine whether any additional local action, regulatory adjustments, or responses are necessary. At this time, however, the Town’s current position remains unchanged,” town communications manager Florencia Rullo said in a statement last week.
ACK Natural has sought input from the Cannabis Control Commission, asking them to determine whether the town is overstepping their authority by trying to limit deliveries on-island.
That may take some time, however, given the changes to the Commission brought on by the new legislation.
Under the legislation, the current commission is immediately dissolved and downsized from five members to three, all to be appointed by the governor.
Healey now has 30 days to reappoint a new commission, which has been riddled with internal conflict for years.
Sunday was the deadline for Healey to sign the bill, which lawmakers sent to her desk April 9. Healey’s office said it has “already begun the process of identifying commissioners.”
“The cannabis industry is an important part of Massachusetts economy – supporting jobs and local businesses and generating revenue for cities and towns,” Healey said in a press release Sunday. “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.”
While the commission is under transformation, regulators say they will continue to work on several ongoing projects including rolling out regulations governing sites where people can consume marijuana in social settings and assessing market conditions as part of a temporary cultivation license freeze, which the commission approved at its last meeting.
Regulators say they will also continue daily oversight of the industry including accepting license applications and conducting inspections.
“During this transition, the organization will remain focused on its primary mission of regulating a safe, equitable cannabis industry for consumers, patients, business leaders and taxpayers in Massachusetts,” commission executive director Travis Ahern said in the press release. “The commission has capably integrated legislative changes before, such as with the extensive Chapter 180 reforms, and we will do the same now as we enter a new era as an agency while working with the governor to implement the legislative intent of this bill.”
The new law clarifies responsibilities for the commission chair and executive director, which has been a point of contention for commissioners. It states the chairperson is responsible for personnel and administrative matters and the executive director reports directly to the chair.
Under the law, the commission must create an online, anonymous portal to accept reports of illegal conduct. It also directs the commission to make recommendations surrounding intoxicating hemp-based products that have fallen into a gray area of the law and regulations.
The legislation allows cannabis retailers to hold up to six store licenses, double the current cap. It also raises the amount of marijuana a person can legally possess from one ounce to two and eliminates requirements for medical marijuana businesses to grow and process all of the marijuana they sell.
Healey now has until May 19 to appoint the new three-person CCC. Under the new law, the commission said, one member must have expertise in social justice, while the two other members must have expertise in social justice, public health, public safety, regulation of business, consumer commodities, and/or the production and distribution of marijuana.
Information from the State House News Service was used in this report.
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