ON THE EVE of a scheduled court hearing challenging her suspension as chair of the state Cannabis Control Commission, Shannon O’Brien said state Treasurer Deborah Goldberg has agreed to hold a hearing on her removal. O’Brien filed a lawsuit last week alleging she had been improperly suspended by Goldberg without due process or an opportunity […]
Marijuana
Posted inMarijuana, State Government, State House News Service
Cannabis commission director pushes back at ‘crisis’ comment
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of the Cannabis Control Commission, Shawn Collins is in the driver’s seat of a newly empowered regulatory agency, one that oversees an industry that’s still finding its footing and provides regulators with a parade of heady issues to address. Collins told the News Service this week that he […]
Posted inMarijuana, State House News Service
O’Brien apologizes for handling of last CCC meeting
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE THE CHAIRWOMAN of the Cannabis Control Commission apologized to her fellow commissioners Thursday for any “angst” or “confusion” she caused at their last meeting when she unexpectedly announced the agency’s executive director was leaving and that the CCC was in “crisis.” Chairwoman Shannon O’Brien announced at a July 28 meeting that Executive Director […]
Posted inMicrophilanthropy
Testing lab executive slams marijuana regulators
STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE EACH PERSON who testified before the Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy on Tuesday got three minutes to make their case. But the founder and CEO of one of the first laboratories approved to test marijuana in Massachusetts probably could have gone on for hours telling lawmakers about the issues he has […]
Posted inOpinion
Tracing the LGBTQ+ origins of legal cannabis
EVERY JUNE, rainbow flags are flown in solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community. The colors light up buildings and landmarks, and companies from all sectors market products that celebrate Pride Month. While cannabis companies are no exception, they align much more authentically with Pride than others because of their deep connection to one another as long-time […]
Posted inEconomy, Government, Marijuana
Social consumption cannabis plans get a retooling
IT’S BEEN SEVEN YEARS since Massachusetts legalized recreational marijuana, but there’s still a lengthy road ahead before someone can sit down in a cannabis cafe, pop an edible or break out a joint, and wind down after a long day. That road got a bit shorter on Monday, however, with industry regulators voting to scrap […]
Posted inMarijuana, State Government
Cannabis licensing snafu over O’Brien much ado about nothing
THE CANNABIS Control Commission unanimously approved a final license for Greenfield Greenery on Thursday, resolving a months-long delay resulting from questions about whether Commission Chair Shannon O’Brien properly removed herself from ownership of the company. A commission investigation concluded that O’Brien and Greenfield Greenery both did everything properly in removing O’Brien from her ownership position. […]
Posted inMarijuana
Plummeting prices destabilize Mass. marijuana market
ON A RECENT DAY, a Brockton customer looking for some marijuana could have bought one-eighth of an ounce of LA Kush Cake flower for just $20 at Commonwealth Alternative Care. Nearby, Legal Greens was advertising one-eighth of an ounce of Jet Fuel flower for $25, according to the marijuana marketing website Leafly. The prices are […]
Posted inMarijuana, State Government
Board named for social equity marijuana loan fund
THE BOARD that will oversee the state’s new fund to help social equity cannabis businesses will be comprised of a diverse group of individuals, who represent various segments of the industry that they hope to help. Appointments to the five-member board were finalized last week by then-Gov. Charlie Baker; then-Attorney General Maura Healey, who is now […]
Posted inMarijuana
Lantern closure shakes marijuana delivery market
THERE’S ANOTHER major shakeup coming in the already-struggling marijuana delivery industry, with the impending closure of one of the largest marketing websites in Massachusetts. Lantern, a website where consumers can go to order legal cannabis delivered from a local dispensary, announced Wednesday that it will shut down by the end of January, citing regulatory hurdles […]