The Cannabis Control Commission Wants Feedback from You on Draft Social Consumption Regulations and Policies

Public Comment Period Open Until Sept. 8

The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (Commission) invites residents to weigh in on highly anticipated draft regulations to govern future on-site Social Consumption Establishments and related policies in the Commonwealth. Commissioners voted (3-0) on July 29 to approve the draft regulations and to open a public comment period seeking feedback from constituents.

Under the current proposal, three different adult-use social consumption license types will be exclusively available to participants of the agency’s equity programming and small businesses, including Microbusinesses and Craft Marijuana Cooperatives. The proposed social consumption license types include:   

• Supplemental, for existing Marijuana Establishments (MEs) to add on-site consumption into their operations;   
• Hospitality, for new or existing non-cannabis businesses to host consumption activities in partnership with qualifying MEs; and   
• Event Organizer, for qualifying MEs to organize and host temporary consumption events. 

At their August 14 public meeting, Commissioners also outlined several additional topics for which they are seeking public feedback alongside the draft regulations, including: 

• Responsible Vendor Training; 
• Shelf-Stable, Non-Infused Food Sales; 
• Total Sales Purchase Amounts; 
• Prohibitions of Alcohol and Tobacco;  
• Discounted and Promotional Prices; 
• Ventilation Requirements; and  
• Cooling Down Areas. 

Following the promulgation of the final regulations, cities and towns across Massachusetts will be able to opt-in to allowing social consumption businesses by adopting new ordinances or bylaws on their own initiative, amending zoning regulations to permit the social consumption license types or in response to a constituent petition. 

Stakeholders are encouraged to submit feedback on the draft regulations by emailing Commission@CCCMass.com with subject line, “Social Consumption” no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 8. To provide feedback on the additional topics raised in the Memorandum, constituents are encouraged to complete this form. Comments received after this date may not be reviewed. For transparency, the Commission may publish submissions or produce them in response to requests under the Massachusetts Public Records Law, M.G.L. c. 66, § 10, or other legal requirements. 

The Commission will also host a public hearing at the agency’s Union Station headquarters in Worcester on Monday, Sept. 8 to give constituents the opportunity to provide testimony in person. Constituents can sign up in advance using this form or in person the day of the hearing. 

For more information about social consumption, contact the Commission by phone (774-415-0200) or email (Commission@CCCMass.com).