Bulletin | Renewal Extension for Marijuana Establishments | June 5, 2020

On March 10, 2020, Governor Charlie Baker declared a State of Emergency (“Order”) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts due to the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus (“COVID-19”).  This bulletin supplements and updates the Cannabis Control Commission’s (“Commission”) bulletins, which can be found here: https://masscannabiscontrol.com/covid19.     In light of the current state of emergency, the Commission approved a motion on May 7, 2020, to provide relief to adult-use Marijuana Establishments.  Relying on G. L. c. 94G, § 6(a), the Commission moved to:

Extend automatically the term for adult-use establishments expiring in June, July or August 2020 and to waive the regulatory provisions requiring renewal on an annual basis in 935 CMR 500.103(4). Each license will be valid for one (1) year plus the maximum extension term, an additional sixty (60) days.  Renewal applicants may seek renewal anytime during the maximum extension term, so long as they pay the renewal fees required under 935 CMR 500.005 and submit their application in accordance with 935 CMR 500.103(4)(a).  On seeking renewal, applicants must demonstrate compliance with the remaining regulatory requirements or obtain a waiver under 935 CMR 500.850.  This extension does not relieve licensees of their associated legal obligations, including obligations to the municipality or other state agencies.   For example, if a license is set to expire on July 1, 2020, the licensee has been granted an extension for up to 60 days and must submit their renewal application and fee in accordance with the motion above by August 30, 2020.  A licensee may submit a renewal at any time during the extension term.  The automatic extension applies solely to licenses set to expire in June, July or August of 2020.

Please note, the above motion does not apply to Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (“MTC”) licensed pursuant to 935 CMR 501.000.  An MTC shall submit their renewal application and fee in accordance with the regulations.

Further information regarding licensure renewal can be found in the Guidance on Licensure.  Licensees may direct questions to Licensing@CCCMass.com.