New Form Available to Request Changes to Adult- and Medical-use Cannabis Regulations

A new form is now available on the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (Commission) website at MassCannabisControl.com for members of the general public to make requests for changes to the Commonwealth’s adult and medical use of marijuana regulations.

According to state law and Commission regulations 935 CMR 500.830 and 501.350, any interested person or “petitioner”—including but not limited to Consumers, Patients, Caregivers, Certifying Healthcare Providers, Agents, or Licensees—may request from the Commission the adoption, amendment, or repeal of regulations. Requests are accepted on a rolling basis, and do not need to be submitted within the context of an active Commission regulatory review period or public comment period.  

With each new request, the petitioner must submit written documentation for the Commission to evaluate it, including: 

• The petitioner’s name; 
• The petitioner’s address; 
• Relevant contact information for the petitioner or their representative (see below); 
• The petitioner’s request for the adoption, amendment, or repeal of a regulation, including proposed regulatory language;  
• Whether the request is to amend an existing regulation; 
• A copy of the existing regulation with changes clearly marked on paper and electronic copies; and  
• The reasons for the request including, but not limited to, citation to any relevant legal authority, arguments and evidence, including data, that supports the request. 

Additional documentation may be submitted along with the petition form if it directly addresses the regulations to be adopted, amended, or repealed. If the request is coming from an entity, the form must be signed by an individual who has authority to act on behalf of the entity (“petitioner’s representative”).  

The petitioner must submit a new form for each individual request; however, if changes are requested under both the adult- and medical-use cannabis regulations, one form may be utilized and state the relevant provisions or sections.  

All requests must be filled out electronically and signed.  

Once the Commission receives signed documentation pertaining to the petition request, staff will evaluate it; however, depending on the nature of the change, the agency may need considerable time to complete its due diligence review. Petitions also may be subject to discussion during a public meeting at the request of the Chair. The petitioner will be notified once the Commission has completed its evaluation and made its determination. For more information about the petition process, email Petitions@CCCMass.com.  

Please note: filing a petition does not itself change the regulation. Any adoption, amendment, or repeal must follow the full rulemaking process required by state law and the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s procedures. Interested in learning more about the state’s process to incorporate ideas into new regulations? Review the Commission’s video, “From Idea to Regulation: An Overview of the Massachusetts Cannabis Regulatory Process”: 

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