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What's happening at the Cannabis Control Commission, from suspension drama to weed cafes
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While we contemplate New England’s fifth season, here is what’s sticking out in the news today:
CCC’s hazy future: It’s been a weird few months at the Cannabis Control Commission. The Massachusetts agency has been working to finalize an important new round of regulations for the state’s legal marijuana industry, while its chair, Shannon O’Brien, has been in a legal fight with Massachusetts Treasurer Deb Goldberg over her ongoing suspension. Today should soon shed light on how the battle between the two political heavyweights will play out. Here’s what to know about the drama and what’s next for the CCC:
- The suspension: When Goldberg first suspended O’Brien in September, the reason remained a mystery. Then last week, court documents revealed a host of allegations against O’Brien, the state’s 2002 Democratic gubernatorial candidate and former treasurer herself. They accused O’Brien of making “racially, ethnically, culturally insensitive” comments, including using the word yellow in reference to an Asian person. O’Brien’s lawyers say the allegations are frivolous and out-of-context. While she regretted the “yellow” comment, O’Brien said she was quoting a real estate developer. However, the documents also allege O’Brien repeatedly clashed with CCC staff and referred to the agency’s outgoing executive director as “missing in action” while he was on parental leave.
- What’s next: Goldberg and O’Brien are scheduled to meet in private today, but O’Brien is asking a state judge in Boston to delay the meeting and clarify the process. O’Brien’s legal team argues Goldberg is acting as “judge, jury and executioner” in the matter. The judge is expected to issue a ruling this morning.
- Amid all the drama, the CCC is readying to roll out a whole new legal pot sector: social consumption sites — aka cannabis cafes. But they won’t just be cafes. Listen to this Radio Boston segment with CCC Commissioner Bruce Stebbins about the new type of business and why you’ll hear a lot about them in 2024.
Supp-rise: The $3 billion supplemental budget is now law. In a flurry of votes yesterday, both chambers of the Massachusetts Legislature actually passed the legislation in informal sessions, after getting enough Democrats to show up to hold a “standing vote” and overcome Republicans’ procedural blockade. The bill — with its extra money for the state’s shelter system, disaster relief funds and state worker raises — was subsequently signed last night by Gov. Maura Healey.
- It’s worth noting how rare it is for enough lawmakers to show up during an informal session to reach the necessary quorum to hold a hand-counted vote. In fact, according to the State House News Service, House Speaker Ron Mariano could not recall one other time it happened during his 32-year career in the House.
The Newton City Council voted last night to rezone six of the city’s village centers to allow for more multifamily housing and comply with the state’s new MBTA Communities Act. The measure is a scaled-back version, after voters ousted several councilors who supported a more ambitious 13-village proposal during last month’s election.
- Zoom in: The six centers being rezoned to allow for more density are Newton Centre, Newton Highlands, Newtonville, Waban, West Newton and Auburndale.
Boston to DC: The presidents of Harvard and MIT are headed to Capitol Hill this morning to testify to Congress about how they responded to student protests over the Israel-Hamas war. Don’t expect it to be a friendly event. The GOP chair of the House committee holding the hearing said last week that the college administrators have “largely stood by” and offered “indecision and milquetoast statements” in the face of “antisemitism.”
- Go deeper: Harvard has since launched task forces to address both antisemitism and the harassment of students with pro-Palestinian views. WBUR’s Max Larkin has a closer look at the current tensions on campus and the school’s response in the wake of the Oct. 7 attacks on Hamas and Israel’s subsequent bombing of Gaza.
DC to Boston: Meanwhile, President Joe Biden will be in town today for a concert-fundraiser with singer James Taylor at the Shubert Theatre. He’s also scheduled for two other fundraisers and a meeting with Healey when he arrives at Logan Airport shortly before noon.
P.S.— Here and Now‘s climate series “Reverse Course” is back this week with new installments focused on carbon capture projects. Check out the first feature (about rock dust!) right here.
