Chair and Executive Director Statements Relative to Rescheduled Social Consumption Meetings

WORCESTER – Cannabis Control Commission Chair Shannon O’Brien and Executive Director Travis Ahern on Thursday issued the following statements relative to the agency’s postponement of public meetings to finalize regulatory changes related to Social Consumption Establishments, agent badging, and other policies:

“I have made promoting social equity a priority from the day I was first sworn in as Chair in 2022 and understand that the Commission has failed to keep the promise originally made to those disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs,” Chair O’Brien said. “My goal is to hit the ground running to make concrete changes after years of delay. In fact, two years ago, I expressed disappointment that the work on social consumption had not been adequately addressed, and still share the concerns of stakeholders that this has taken far too long to achieve—nearly two years after I was prevented from leading this effort forward.”

“I look forward to working with all Commissioners and staff to continue the Commission’s progress to finalize and implement these new license types for the growing, $8 billion regulated cannabis industry in our state,” Executive Director Ahern said. “Rescheduling our final regulatory review to Oct. 23 was necessary to ensure all policymakers could gather feedback and contribute to the final package to ensure the long-term success of equity and small business owners in Massachusetts.”

Over the next few weeks, Chair O’Brien plans to meet with leaders from various stakeholder groups about the draft social consumption regulations and looks forward to their completion and ultimate promulgation by the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

For more information, visit MassCannabisControl.com, contact the Commission by phone (774-415-0200) or email (Commission@CCCMass.com), or follow the agency on Facebook and X.

###