Boston Herald | Public safety on cannabis consumption site menu (Op-Ed)

By Bruce Stebbins, Acting Chair, Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission

The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission is nearing a vote on long-awaited draft regulations for social consumption – an important step for the state’s cannabis industry.  With recent changes to our statute in 2022, we now have the tools and chance to realize new market opportunities envisioned by advocates for legalization.

The state’s regulated cannabis market and adults who are ages 21 and older have been getting ready for social consumption for years, but we know not all Massachusetts residents are comfortable with the idea of patrons consuming cannabis on-site at establishments and at events across the Commonwealth. That’s why the Commission has spent the last few months poring over every detail of these regulations to ensure that public health and safety come first.

Social consumption isn’t just an aspect of legal cannabis that voters approved, it’s also one of the last areas of the legacy market still thriving in the state. If you have ever come across someone consuming cannabis in public, that’s what these regulations will help to address. We know social consumption is already happening in the Commonwealth and these new regulations may cut down on illegal use by creating licensed venues subject to health and safety protocols.

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Continue reading the full Op-Ed by Cannabis Control Commission Acting Chair Stebbins on Boston Herald here: https://www.bostonherald.com/2025/07/30/stebbins-public-safety-on-cannabis-consumption-site-menu/

The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission recently voted to approve draft social consumption regulations, marking the end of an intensive review period in which Commissioners and staff made crucial changes to ensure a safe, successful rollout of the new license types. In the coming weeks, the Commission will accept public comments as written testimony and host a public hearing to enable constituents and stakeholders to weigh in. Additional details about the process and deadlines will be announced as part of the August 14 public meeting. After reviewing comments, the Commission will reconvene to vote on final regulations.