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Mass. marijuana regulators propose 3 types of 'social consumption spaces'
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It may be Monday, but at least the afternoons are getting less dark. (Really!)
Now, to the news:
Massachusetts is inching closer to opening its first cannabis cafes, nearly a decade after voters authorized them as part of the 2016 legalization of marijuana. The state’s Cannabis Control Commission held a meeting last week to finally nail down the regulations for what they’re calling “social consumption spaces.” Based on the new rules, residents can expect three different kinds:
- The “supplemental license.” That’s mainly for existing marijuana dispensaries that want to add an on-site consumption space, like a “tasting room.” “Folks tell us this is probably the easiest to construct,” Bruce Stebbins, the CCC’s acting chair, said. “I might have an existing space right next door to me. There are things I might want to do on my retail space floor after hours.” Stebbins added these will likely be the first to open.
- The “hospitality license.” Think everything from standalone marijuana lounges to cafes to yoga studios to theaters to hotels with separate social consumption spaces. They could be BYOC, or sell cannabis products for use on-site. “This is where we see a lot of opportunity for some innovation,” Stebbins said. The license would also allow existing businesses to partner with entrepreneurs. “We’ve often used the example of a gas station and a Dunkin Donuts within the gas station,” said Mike Baker, the CCC’s acting deputy general counsel.
- The “event organizer license.” It’s basically a temporary permit allowing cannabis to be sold and used in a space for up to five days. Imagine it for events like concerts and festivals. CCC officials hopes it will offer lower startup costs for people trying to get into the industry. “We know we already have events going on here in Massachusetts,” Stebbins said. “Many of them are bring-your-own. In these settings, there’s always risks of people consuming untested or unsafe products.”
- The big picture: For any social consumption space to open, cities and towns have to give approval first. Many municipalities may choose to maintain the status quo, banning such spaces. “They need to decide whether they’re going to opt in, either by referendum or by bylaw change,” Stebbins said.
- What’s next: The CCC plans to unveil the proposed regulation language at its meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 17, and hopes to get the wording finalized by mid-2025. But there’s still a long road after that. They need to develop an application, create training and public education resources, review applications, conduct inspections and wait to see if municipalities even allow these spaces. After an eight-plus year wait, that will be the “most time- and resource-consuming part of the process,” said Matt Giancola, the CCC’s head of government affairs and policy communications.
Save the ducks! Staff from the New England Wildlife Center jumped into action Sunday to rescue ducks and other waterfowl after an oil spill in the Muddy River on the Boston / Brookline line. At least eight birds are currently being treated, while Boston and Brookline fire officials and cleanup crews attempt to contain the spill.
- The spill, which is thought to be home heating oil, was first reported near the Longwood MBTA station to Brookline Police around noon on Sunday. Max Scott, with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, told NBC10 that while it’s unclear how much oil leaked, it’s “likely less than 100 gallons.”
- What now? Cleanup crews have placed containment booms into nearby Leverett Pond to stop the oil from spreading.
A pattern: Massachusetts Congresswoman Lori Trahan is the latest target in a series of bomb threats against political representatives. Westford police said they received an email threatening Trahan and her family Saturday morning. After a bomb squad investigation, it was deemed unfounded. Similar hoaxes have been reported by at least five other Democratic members of Congress, as well as some of President-elect Trump’s cabinet-picks.
Back again: The state Senate will take up Boston Mayor Michelle Wu’s tax plan again today, after voting on the proposal was delayed twice last week by South Boston Sen. Nick Collins.
- Currently, the fate of the bill looks a little dicey. Some business groups — including a few that had previously agreed to Wu’s compromise plan — are saying they now want to wait after reviewing newly released Boston property value data.
P.S.— Boston’s professional women’s hockey team, the Fleet, beat the New York Sires 4-2 last night at the Tsongas Center in Lowell. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for another win when they play the Ottawa Charge next week.
