Massachusetts Secretary of Public Safety and Security Daniel Bennett is opposing the creation of cannabis clubs in the state, alleging that allowing social use will increase access to minors and drugged driving incidents, according to a MassLive report.
“We believe the difficulties of safely administering the adult use marijuana market in the near term will be multiplied by the proposed licensing of social consumption establishments, mixed-use social consumption establishments, and home delivery retail services.” – Bennett, in a letter to the Cannabis Control Commission, via MassLive
Bennett’s concerns are shared by Gov. Charlie Baker, whose budget and environmental agencies legal counsel have warned against allowing social use immediately.
“If these folks want to take up a lot of these second and third tier issues at some point after the program is up and running, I think that’s fine. What I do worry about is creating a situation and a dynamic given the relatively early stages for the commission generally, and for this industry in particular, to get off on the wrong foot straight out of the gate.” – Baker to MassLive
In his letter, Bennett said that if consumers are prohibited from taking cannabis from social clubs off-site, it could increase the number of people driving under the influence, and that delivery services couldn’t determine whether someone under 21 is in the house.
The Cannabis Commission is currently crafting the final regulations for the state’s cannabis industry, which is expected to come online July 1. The draft rules were submitted last December.
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