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The new regulations will go into effect by Nov. 22.
On Wednesday, the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission gave unanimous approval to a new set of marijuana industry rules aimed at further expanding the trade across the state.
Specifically, the new rules touch on protocols for home marijuana delivery, product transportation for testing purposes, expanding microbusiness and craft cooperatives, and increasing access for medical marijuana patients, according to a press release from the commission.
An earlier draft of the rules was approved by the commission in July, which preceded a public comment period. The new regulations will go into effect by Nov. 22.
Major changes include:
Allowing home delivery of cannabis products to be performed by a solo driver, which replaces the previous mandate that two employees must be present for each delivery. Companies can still opt to have two employees in delivery vehicles, and two will be required when the value of inventory present is over $5,000.
Wholesale deliveries and deliveries of cannabis products to testing labs may also be completed by a solo driver.
Increasing the number of legal delivery and courier permits per company to three from two.
Expanding delivery hours to 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
Allowing microbusiness permit holders and craft cooperatives to apply for other license types, such as cultivation, manufacturing, retail and transport.
Allowing medical marijuana patients to obtain their recommendations via telehealth appointments, as opposed to in-person.
Allowing nurse practitioners with independent practices to write medical marijuana recommendations for patients, as opposed to only physicians.
“The commission acted diligently to update regulations for constituents while maintaining a safe, equitable cannabis market,” acting CCC Chair Bruce Stebbins said in the release. “These changes will allow microbusinesses to expand into new parts of the industry and access social consumption licenses in the future. The commission is looking forward to the rollout of the social consumption framework in December, the next major step forward for the industry.”
The CCC has a public listening session scheduled for Nov. 7 at its headquarters in Worcester related to its continued tweaking cannabis testing lab rules, the commission announced. Then on Dec. 5, there will be another such meeting for public feedback on proposals related to the cannabis consumption lounges.
Next year, the commission further “intends to review the three-year, equity exclusivity period for adult-use delivery license types” and will also assess ways for legal cannabis operators to expand into municipalities that have opted to ban commercial marijuana businesses, as a way to both increase consumer access and combat the underground market.
“}]] The new regulations will go into effect by Nov. 22. Read More