The Cannabis Control Commission Wants Your Feedback on Worker Safety Issues and a Potential License Freeze in Massachusetts

Sign-up to speak virtually or in person at the agency’s Worcester headquarters on March 18 

The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (Commission) will host two hybrid public Listening Sessions in Worcester on Wednesday, March 18 to receive feedback from constituents on issues related to worker safety and the possibility of temporarily freezing license applications for new cannabis businesses in the Commonwealth.

From 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m., Commissioners will accept feedback from cannabis industry stakeholders on how the Commission can improve worker safety and what regulatory and procedural changes can be made to promote healthy working environments. 

From 1-3 p.m., Commissioners will turn to the possible licensing freeze. Commissioner Kimberly Roy first introduced the topic at the Commission’s Feb. 12 Public Meeting. During her presentation, she indicated that flower prices have declined 60-70% since market launch and continued expansion of cultivation capacity could exacerbate oversupply. As of February, 125 cultivation licensees, representing between 2,360,125 and 3,315,000 square feet of cultivation canopy, have received the Commission’s notice to commence operations in Massachusetts. There are another 47 cultivation licenses in the pipeline to get open as they move through the licensing stages. 

To give testimony virtually or in person at the agency’s Union Station headquarters at 2 Washington Sq, Worcester, MA 01604, stakeholders are encouraged to sign-up in advance. For each topic, stakeholders who sign up to speak remotely will give testimony first, followed by those joining in-person. 

Please see an agenda for the March 18 Listening Sessions below or on the Commission’s calendar: 

10–11:30 a.m.: Worker Safety Listening Session 

12–1p.m.: Lunch Break 

1–3 p.m.: Licensing Freeze Listening Session

The Commission will also review written comments submitted to Commission@CCCMass.com with the subject line “Licensing Freeze” or “Worker Safety” no later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 18. Any materials sent to the Commission may be subject to disclosure in response to a public records request pursuant to the Public Records laws, G.L. c.4 §7 cl. 26 and G.L. c.66 §10.  

Feedback may be used by Commissioners to inform policy deliberations. For more information, contact the Commission by phone (774-415-0200) or email (Commission@CCCMass.com). 

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