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Mass. cannabis board clears way for marijuana cafes and event permits
Cannabis cafes are finally coming to Massachusetts.
The state's Cannabis Control Commission voted unanimously Thursday to allow social consumption permits, which let customers consume marijuana products at a venue.
The move comes nearly a decade after voters authorized social consumption as part of a 2016 ballot measure that legalized recreational marijuana in the state.
Regulators first approved the idea of on-site permits in 2019. But for six years, the commission has struggled to pull together the details of what would be allowed.
After months of policy deliberations, there will now be three different types of permits:
- Supplemental permits would allow current cannabis businesses to open a separate area for on-site consumption, such as a "tasting room."
- Hospitality permits would allow the holder to open a standalone consumption venue. This allows everything from lounges and cafes to yoga studios and hotels to sell cannabis products
- Event Organizer permits would allow an establishment to host cannabis events, such as a festivals or concerts. Cities and towns will have authority over the time, place and manner of such events, similar to one-day liquor or wine-and-beer licenses issued by municipalities.
These licenses will be available only to members of the social equity or economic empowerment programs for the first five years.
Recently appointed Commissioner Carrie Benedon called the new social consumption licenses an "exciting opportunity."
"We'll present new economic opportunities for equity participants and other small businesses," Benedon said during Thursday's commission meeting. "And we also have been very, very, careful about emphasizing public health and safety and I think we're ending up with a really great set of regulations."
The permits come with a host of limitations around placement, security and other elements. There are also limitations on the types of non-infused foods and drinks that can be served. This will be the first time marijuana businesses in the state will be allowed to sell non-infused food and drink items.
Thursday's vote isn't the last step for on-site consumption use in Massachusetts. While, the new regulations are expected to go into effect next month, every city and town must reckon with whether to issue the permits. Many communities have already said they won't. Others, like Somerville, are mulling the question.
