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Massachusetts Municipal Association Connect 351 Annual Meeting
Municipalities play a crucial role in shaping the licensed cannabis industry in the Commonwealth. They are responsible for zoning and permitting Marijuana Establishments (MEs) and Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MTCs), negotiating Host Community Agreements (HCAs), and addressing local impacts through Community Impact Fees. By implementing required equity initiatives, ensuring public safety, and fostering economic development, municipalities can align state regulations and community needs while maximizing the benefits of a legal cannabis marketplace.
This page serves as a central hub for municipalities with resources related to the policies, regulations, and guidance stemming from the cannabis industry. As the Cannabis Control Commission (Commission) releases additional guidance and documents for municipalities, new materials will be added here. For any questions or assistance, please reach out to the Government Affairs and Policy Department at GovAffairs@CCCMass.com.
Contact
Government Affairs and Policy
GovAffairs@CCCMass.com
Matt Giancola
Director of Government Affairs and Policy
(774) 415-0462
Matt.Giancola@CCCMass.com
Jessica Porter, Esq.
Manager of Government Affairs and Policy
(774) 473-5750
Jessica.Porter@CCCMass.com
Callie MacDonald
Policy Analyst
(774) 415-0478
Callie.MacDonald@CCCMass.com
Municipalities’ Role
While the regulation of marijuana and oversight of licensees is under the jurisdiction of the Commission at the state level, cities and towns have the authority to define how cannabis businesses can operate within their boundaries. Municipalities may adopt a local option tax of up to 3% on gross sales from licensed Marijuana Retailers, generating additional revenue to support local priorities.
- Municipality’s Roles and Responsibilities
- Guidance on Municipal Equity & Industry Participation
- Local Recreational Marijuana Option Excise Tax
- Local Licensing Process
- Municipal Zoning Tracker
- Please be sure to review your Municipality’s details in this Tracker and email Government Affairs if any changes need to be made.
- Social Equity Businesses
- Cities and towns that host a Marijuana Retailer that is designated as a Social Equity Business receive financial support through quarterly payments from the state. These payments, equal to 1% of the licensee’s total sales, are distributed by the State Treasurer based on the sales generated within each municipality, ensuring local communities benefit directly from Social Equity Businesses that operate in their community. For questions regarding this provision, please contact the Department of Revenue.
Social Consumption
In December 2025, Commissioners approved three new on-site cannabis consumption licenses known as Social Consumption Establishments. Currently, license applications are not yet available, and businesses will not be authorized to sell regulated cannabis to patrons to consume on-site. Over the next several months, the Commission is undertaking an implementation plan which will include several working groups with internal and external members.
Once available, eligible business owners will be able to apply for three license types:
- Supplemental, for existing MEs to incorporate on-site consumption into their business location;
- Hospitality, for qualifying applicants and MEs, including new or established non-cannabis businesses; and
- Event Organizer, for all qualifying applicants and MEs to organize and host temporary consumption events.
Why This Matters for Municipalities
Regulated social consumption is not available automatically within a municipality. Local authorization by cities and towns remains a critical component of the implementation process.
Just in time for Spring Annual Town Meeting season, the Commission is pleased to share this video for municipalities regarding next steps for Social Consumption Establishments in Massachusetts.
Viewers will receive an overview of the Commission’s recently finalized regulations under 935 CMR 500.000, including:
- The policy goals that guided development of the regulations;
- The stakeholder engagement and public input process that informed the final framework;
- The different license types authorized;
- The public health and safety considerations embedded in the regulations; and
- The local approval structure and municipal role.
The video aims to support municipal officials, planners, Boards of Health, and elected leaders as they begin or continue local conversations.
The legalization of adult-use cannabis in Massachusetts followed the passage of Massachusetts General Law Chapter 94G in 2016. The Commission’s social consumption regulations build upon that statutory framework and reflect years of research, public meetings, interagency consultation, and feedback from other legalized states, municipalities, public health officials, industry stakeholders, and community members.
Municipalities may wish to consider:
- Whether to allow one or more types of Social Consumption Establishments;
- Appropriate zoning districts or overlays;
- Local permitting structures and sequencing;
- Coordination with public health and public safety officials; and
- Community engagement prior to local authorization.
The regulations are designed to provide flexibility to municipalities while maintaining strong statewide public health and safety standards. Early discussions at the local level can help ensure that any approach reflects your community’s goals and capacity.
Social Consumption Establishments may also be required to enter into HCAs, even if the licensee operates a separate business under an existing contract. Host communities can also add additional requirements to shape the time, manner, and location of social consumption in their city or town.
The Commission’s Municipal Zoning Tracker also enables Massachusetts residents and prospective licensees to monitor implementation of social consumption at the local level, in addition to general adult-use cannabis policies and the status of delivery service.
The social consumption regulations establish comprehensive safeguards to prevent overconsumption and impaired driving, empower municipalities with strong local control, and introduce responsible hospitality measures—including clear product information and expanded food service options—to ensure that Social Consumption Establishments operate safely and responsibly across the Commonwealth. They include:
Overconsumption and Operating Under the Influence (OUIs)
- No intersection of alcohol or tobacco and tobacco products within licensed spaces/ premises;
- A last call requirement for licensees to cut off service 30 minutes before the latest authorized sales time;
- Special Responsible Vendor Training (RVT) requirements for all Social Consumption Establishment employees with a focus on drug and alcohol impairment recognition;
- Requiring all licensees to have a transportation strategy with input from local public safety partners to assist impaired consumers;
- Authorizing consumers to take unused product home in an opaque, child-resistant, sealed exit bag to avoid overconsumption on-site; and
- Ensuring licensees’ product menu information includes projected times for onset of intoxication.
Local Control
- Municipalities must opt-in to allow social consumption locally by a referendum, ordinance, or bylaw in accordance with G. L. c. 94G, Section 3(b);
- Social Consumption Establishments will be required to enter into HCAs, even if already operating a separate business under an existing HCA; and
- Host communities can add additional requirements of the local approval process to further shape these establishments per the communities’ interest, e.g., prohibiting the combustion of cannabis products.
Food Service
- For the first time in the Massachusetts industry, this regulatory update will explicitly permit MEs to sell non-infused food and drink items that are pre-packaged and shelf-stable; and
- All Social Consumption Establishments will be authorized to sell non-infused food and drink items that are pre-packaged and shelf-stable, and may also seek permits from local or state authorities to serve non-shelf stable food alongside shelf-stable items.
Food service options also include delivery services or partnerships with existing and possibly adjacent restaurants or food establishments.
Chapter 180
This page provides municipalities and licensees with resources related to Chapter 180 of the Acts of 2022 and its counterpart regulations.
Municipal Equity
Municipalities in Massachusetts must adopt local equity provisions to promote opportunities in the cannabis industry for people and communities who were disproportionately harmed by marijuana prohibition. These requirements may include prioritizing licensing or permitting for Social Equity Program participants and Economic Empowerment Priority applicants, fostering local business participation, and addressing disparities in access to the industry. Host communities were required to adopt local rules or bylaws to comply with 935 CMR 500.181(3) and 501.181(3) on or before May 1, 2024 and may be subject to fines for noncompliance.
HCAs
These agreements establish the terms and conditions under which a cannabis business operates within a host community, including outlining any community impacts, public benefits, or mitigation measures. Municipalities and license applicants enter into these contracts on their own accord and submit them to the Commission with the application for provisional licensure in MassCIP.
Community Impact Fees
Community Impact Fees allow municipalities to offset costs associated with hosting cannabis establishments. Municipalities are required to document and explain how these costs are reasonably related to the operation of the licensee in the municipality. These costs may be submitted for reimbursement and the Commission using the form below and are capped at a total of 3% of the establishment’s gross sales.
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Attend a Public
Meeting
The Cannabis Control Commission conducts meetings and other events to keep you informed.
Subscribe to Our
Notice List
Sign up for updates from the Cannabis Control Commission.
