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Massachusetts finally has rules for cannabis cafes. But when will they open?
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Happy Friday. We could get a few inches of snow this weekend.
But first, the news:
Green light: No fewer than 3,320 days after Massachusetts voted for marijuana cafes as part of the 2016 legalization ballot measure, the state finally settled on some rules so they can actually open. As WBUR's Zeninjor Enwemeka reports, the state's Cannabis Control Commission voted unanimously yesterday to approve rules for "social consumption sites" where people can buy and smoke (or eat) marijuana products all in the same place. The vote came just over a year after the tumult-ridden agency's first draft of the rules, positioning Massachusetts to be the first state in New England with marijuana social consumption sites. However, it could very well be another year before sites are actually a reality. Here's what to know:
- The basics: The newly approved rules create licenses for three types of social consumption sites: A "supplemental" license, primarily for existing marijuana dispensaries that want to add a tasting room-style space; a “hospitality" license for standalone cannabis cafes, lounges and other types of businesses; and an "event organizer" license for temporary events likes concerts and festivals.
- The details: The new regulations weigh in at about 150 pages. Smoking (yes, in some cases, even indoors), pre-packaged edibles and vapes are all allowed. Alcohol and tobacco aren't allowed on site, but licensees can serve non-infused food. Businesses also have to follow strict rules aimed to prevent impaired driving and overconsumption. The CCC's website has an overview here.
- What's next: CCC officials expect the regulations to take effect Jan. 2, after they're reviewed by Secretary of State Bill Galvin's office. Then they need to work on setting up a license application process. And crucially, cities and towns need to opt-in to allow social consumption via referendum, ordinance or bylaw. Social consumption businesses also have to sign a host community agreement (remember those?) with their local city or town.
- When could cannabis cafes actually open? There's a good chance it's not until 2027. CCC officials noted yesterday that it was six months before they got their first application the last time they created a new type of business license for delivery. Asked about the timeline for cannabis cafes opening, CCC Chair Shannon O'Brien told WBZ earlier this week that it was a tough question to answer. "There have been estimates from anywhere from a year to 18 months," she said.
Eek: Medford's Roberts Elementary School is closed for a second straight day because of a suspected norovirus outbreak. While the school building was professionally cleaned and deemed safe yesterday, officials say there simply aren't enough healthy students and staff to reopen today. In addition to the 130 and counting students (nearly a quarter of total enrollment) reporting stomach illnesses, the school says that over 20 staff members have reported experiencing similar symptoms.
- FYI: The outbreak doesn't appear to be hitting any other Medford schools. The school district said attendance rates elsewhere this week have been normal.
New in town: The developers remaking the old Hood Dairy plant in Charlestown are hoping to bring a grocery store to the area. Last night, the Boston Planning and Development Agency approved the proposal by the developer Trademark to add a supermarket to a mostly income-restricted housing project off Rutherford Avenue. Company officials told the Boston Business Journal that two grocery chains are interested in the site, but they haven't said which ones or who they'll pick.
- Meanwhile in Charlestown: The BPDA tentatively awarded the nonprofit Courageous Sailing the rights (and up to $8 million in public funding) to demolish and rebuild Charlestown's sad, blighted Pier 5. Their proposal for a new "waterfront destination" includes an event space, concessions, a Finland-inspired harbor pool and more.
PSA: Cambridge is asking residents to reset their passwords for the city's emergency alert system, after a national cyberattack breached the private software company that manages the system last month. The hack exposed data including phone numbers, potentially affecting users of the city's CodeRED alerts. The platform has been restored after being taken offline in November.
P.S.— Which natural phenomenon is expected to peak around 3 a.m. this Sunday? Take our Boston News Quiz and test your knowledge of this week's stories.
