Cannabis cafes and theaters? New rules could change marijuana use in Mass.
The Cannabis Control Commission could soon change where people are allowed to use marijuana in Massachusetts.They’re rolling out new draft rules with the goal of allowing you to use cannabis in places like cafes, malls or movie theaters.And some businesses say they are excited by the opportunity.The acting chair of the Cannabis Control Commission is calling this a big step forward.At the Summit Lounge in Worcester, members bring their own cannabis and use it on-site.The private club has wanted for years to expand.”An establishment where someone can buy a milkshake that’s infused and also sit there with their colleagues and their loved ones and consume flower, right? Smoke some weed. That’s what I would like to see,” Kyle Moon said.Now, the Cannabis Control Commission is rolling out its draft of social consumption regulations to let people buy and consume cannabis on-site.”I think there’s a general excitement. People have been saying they wanted this since the cannabis question passed back in 2016,” Bruce Stebbins said.The commission is proposing three license types: Supplemental: A consumption space that could be attached to an existing marijuana establishment.Hospitality: A consumption space in a yoga studio, lounge, comedy club, theater or lodging space.Event Organizer: For hosting cannabis consumption events.They’d be limited to five days long and 24 events per year. Communities can choose to opt in. The commission says public safety is its top priority and plans to put safeguards in place.”We’re going to require specific training to help an agent in a consumption lounge recognize if you might be impaired or somebody else might be impaired,” Stebbins said.At the Summit Lounge, they say it’s progress.”Once I’m able to provide a safe, clean product to my consumer base, everyone is better off for it,” Moon said.A timeline for when this could go into effect is still unclear.The acting chair says it will take some time to move through the regulations and work with communities deciding if they want to opt in.
The Cannabis Control Commission could soon change where people are allowed to use marijuana in Massachusetts.
They’re rolling out new draft rules with the goal of allowing you to use cannabis in places like cafes, malls or movie theaters.
And some businesses say they are excited by the opportunity.
The acting chair of the Cannabis Control Commission is calling this a big step forward.
At the Summit Lounge in Worcester, members bring their own cannabis and use it on-site.
The private club has wanted for years to expand.
“An establishment where someone can buy a milkshake that’s infused and also sit there with their colleagues and their loved ones and consume flower, right? Smoke some weed. That’s what I would like to see,” Kyle Moon said.
Now, the Cannabis Control Commission is rolling out its draft of social consumption regulations to let people buy and consume cannabis on-site.
“I think there’s a general excitement. People have been saying they wanted this since the cannabis question passed back in 2016,” Bruce Stebbins said.
The commission is proposing three license types:
Supplemental: A consumption space that could be attached to an existing marijuana establishment.Hospitality: A consumption space in a yoga studio, lounge, comedy club, theater or lodging space.Event Organizer: For hosting cannabis consumption events.
They’d be limited to five days long and 24 events per year.
Communities can choose to opt in. The commission says public safety is its top priority and plans to put safeguards in place.
“We’re going to require specific training to help an agent in a consumption lounge recognize if you might be impaired or somebody else might be impaired,” Stebbins said.
At the Summit Lounge, they say it’s progress.
“Once I’m able to provide a safe, clean product to my consumer base, everyone is better off for it,” Moon said.
A timeline for when this could go into effect is still unclear.
The acting chair says it will take some time to move through the regulations and work with communities deciding if they want to opt in.
