Bulletin | 2026 Regulatory Reforms

This bulletin applies to all Marijuana Establishments, Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers and Independent Testing Laboratories (collectively referred to as “licensees”). Please consider this communication to be additional notice that effective Jan. 2, 2026, the Secretary of the Commonwealth has promulgated the Cannabis Control Commission (“Commission”)’s new adult- and medical-use regulations that incorporate reforms to shelf-stable food items, wasting, badging, reporting requirements, social consumption, and other policies.

Note: draft reforms related to delivery exclusivity and Secret Shopper Program are still moving through the Commission’s current regulatory review process following the agency’s Feb. 23 public hearing.

Shelf-stable Food

Relative to regulations 935 CMR 500.140(3)(e) and 500.141(3)(d), as of Jan. 2, Marijuana Retailers and Delivery Operators may sell shelf-stable food items as defined by 935 CMR 500.002. Constituents with questions should call the Commission at (774) 415-0200 or email Inspections@CCCMass.com.

Wasting

Relative to regulations 935 CMR 500.105(12)(d) and 501.105(12)(d), as of Jan. 2, licensees may reduce the number of Registered Agents from two to one for the required witnessing and documentation that solid waste or organic material containing marijuana has been rendered unusable. Additionally, changes to 935 CMR 500.105(12)(c) and 501.105(12)(c) clarify how licensees may compliantly render Marijuana unusable prior to disposal. For example, licensees are not required to grind all Marijuana Product types such as vaporizers and edibles. However, grinding of Marijuana flower, and other vegetative material, and any material defined as Organic Material in 310 CMR 16.02 is still required. If you have additional questions, please call the Commission at (774) 415-0200 or email Inspections@CCCMass.com.

Reporting Requirements

As of Jan. 2, relative to regulations 935 CMR 500.030(3), the Commission allows CORI background reports to be transferrable to affiliated Licenses if an employee is badged.

Pursuant to 935 CMR 500.110(9)(a)10, 935 CMR 500.110(9)(a)11, and other sections as applicable, licensees must notify appropriate law enforcement authorities and the Commission for any medical event or health and safety emergency that requires response by federal, state, or local personnel as well as for any notice issued to the licensee upon receipt of any complaint or cited violation from federal, state or local officials related to the entity’s operation.

Pursuant to 935 CMR 500.105(3)(e), licensees must report any occurrence or suspected occurrence of illness believed to be from the consumption of Marijuana Products.

Badging

Relative to regulations 935 CMR 500.005(2), 500.029, and 500.030 and 935 CMR 501.005, 501.029, and 501.030, while these changes took effect Jan. 2, the Commission is in the process of implementing them and requires additional time, technology, and resources to complete this work. Please tune in to the Commission’s public meetings and check MassCannabisControl.com for updates.

In the meantime, licensees and Registered Agents should continue to follow the Commission’s existing badging system and pay any applicable fees required in the Massachusetts Cannabis Industry Portal (MassCIP) for requesting new and renewed Agent badges. If you have additional questions, please call the Commission at (774) 415-0200 or email Licensing@CCCMass.com.

Social Consumption Establishments

Relative to regulations 935 CMR 500.005, 500.050(6), 500.101(3)(i), 500.105(2)(b)(8), 500.141, and other sections as applicable, the Commission has created four working groups composed of Commissioners, staff, and external stakeholders to begin preparing the Commonwealth for Social Consumption Establishments. Review the Executive Director’s report to Commissioners on Feb. 12, 2026 (53:30 mark) for an update on the new license types and next steps towards implementation, including efforts to support prospective host communities, incorporate new public education resources, update Responsible Vendor Training for licensees, and other key deliverables.

As municipal spring Town Meeting “season” gets underway in the coming weeks, some cities and towns may consider amendments to zoning, bylaws, or ordinances related to Social Consumption Establishments. Municipalities must opt-in as host communities in order for Social Consumption Establishments to operate in a city or town. For more information about Social Consumption Establishments and on-site consumption events near you, you may wish to contact local officials and check the Commission’s Municipal Zoning Tracker for social consumption status updates.

Questions?

For general questions, please call the Commission at (774) 415-0200 or email Commission@CCCMass.com.