ALL ROADS lead to home, or perhaps the nearest T station. Housing and transportation are both issues that roiled policymakers on and off Beacon Hill, as state officials sought to navigate crises on both fronts by passing a multibillion housing bond bill and debating ways to fund transportation as the MBTA faces a yawning budget […]
Marijuana
Posted inMarijuana
Cannabis Control Commission unveils new rules for social consumption
After a years-long wait, the Cannabis Control Commission has presented a new regulatory framework for getting social consumption for cannabis up and running in the state but without an executive director, the road ahead remains uncertain.
Posted inMarijuana
O’Brien asks SJC to reinstate her as Cannabis Commission chair
O’Brien filed a petition to the state’s Supreme Judicial Court on Friday asking the full court to hear her case and reinstate her as the commission chair.
Posted inMarijuana
Cannabis commission drops 2-driver delivery rule
Even with the latest change, Massachusetts continues to have one of the most heavily regulated marijuana delivery models in the country. Most of the regulations date to 2020, when cannabis delivery began in Massachusetts and the commission threw a whole kitchen sink of safeguards at operators.
Posted inMarijuana
Cannabis Commission not invited to testify at legislative hearings
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 so the Legislature could have time to clarify who’s in charge at the commission.
Posted inMarijuana
Cannabis Commission chooses former employee as executive director
David Lakeman is currently the head of the cannabis division at the Illinois Department of Agriculture – a position he has held since September 2020. He is familiar with cannabis policy in Massachusetts and the commission itself, having served as head of government affairs at the Cannabis Control Commission between 2018 and 2020.
Posted inMarijuana
Search for new cannabis agency chair could be hampered by Legislature’s review, Goldberg says
“We’ve made a commitment to begin looking. It might prove to be more challenging because those who might consider it might be concerned about changes that could take place,” Treasurer Deborah Goldberg said in reference to the Legislature. “But we’ll address this as we move forward.”
Posted inMarijuana
Cannabis commission nearing end on two-driver changes
“We’ve been talking about the two-driver rule since 2020,” said Ryan Dominguez, the head of the Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition at the public hearing.
Posted inMarijuana
Cannabis Commission says it needs more funds from Legislature
At a meeting of the commission on Thursday, officials said the budget approved by the Legislature and signed by the governor provided $19.8 million – $2.8 million less than what the agency had requested.
Posted inState Government
Fight between Goldberg, O’Brien heading to court
O’Brien’s attorney said on Tuesday that she plans to challenge the firing in court, a move that is likely to prolong chaos at the commission and bring all the messy details of the agency into public view.