Last week, the CCC presented a new social consumption regulatory framework, the regulatory body’s next step toward introducing social consumption into the Massachusetts marketplace.
The new regulations, which will be released in redline form on or around December 17, 2024, followed by a public hearing and comment period, will include three (3) license types, made available for the first five (5) years (up from three (3) years) to Social Equity Participants:
- Supplemental licenses: For existing Marijuana Establishments, such as retailers, cultivators, delivery operators, and other license types, to host social consumption activities within their existing or adjoining space.
- Hospitality licenses: For non-cannabis businesses to launch on-site or adjacent consumption within new or non-cannabis commercial spaces – think yoga studios or existing lounges.
- Event Organizer: This third license class would allow for consumption at temporary events.
All license types would have different regulatory requirements, which are still in development. For example, all Marijuana Establishments would be required to serve food, and each of the various license types would be required to have a Host Community Agreement with the municipality in which they exist.
Further, for social consumption to proceed in any municipality, the city or town must opt in to the license by ordinance, by-law, or petition – a process that has yet to occur in Massachusetts.
As mentioned, all consumption licenses are made exclusively available for five (5) years to Social Equity Participants including Social Equity Businesses, Economic Empowerment Applicants, Microbusinesses, and Craft Marijuana Cooperatives.
Our office is in contact with various policy makers to understand where new opportunities may be available. As always, we welcome your outreach or questions for this and other cannabis related queries.
For questions about these new regulations and how they may impact your business, please reach out to Mike Ross, or any other member of Prince Lobel’s Cannabis Group.