Search Results for "massachusetts"

Poll: Massachusetts Residents Would Prefer Intoxicating Hemp Products Only Sold at Licensed Dispensaries

4/28/2024

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A majority of Massachusetts residents – 55% – say intoxicating hemp products should only be sold in state-licensed cannabis dispensaries, according to a MassINC Polling Group survey outlined by the Commonwealth Beacon. About a fifth of respondents said they didn’t know or didn’t want to answer with 28% saying the products should be allowed to be sold in other places. 

The poll explained that “Hemp is a type of marijuana plant that contains a much smaller amount of THC than the marijuana sold in dispensaries. Products containing THC from hemp are not regulated in the same way as marijuana. They are now being sold at liquor stores, convenience stores, gas stations, and some bars and restaurants.” 

The survey asked: “Do you think that products containing THC from hemp should only be sold at licensed dispensaries, or should they be sold in other places?” 

Another 65% of the 1,001 residents polled between April 4 and 17 said they believed that legalizing cannabis for adult use was the right thing to do.   

On The Horse Race podcast, MassINC Polling Group President Steve Koczela said that the survey results are “different than what we have seen, by and large, so far, in that people think it should be legal to buy marijuana, but not in this way,” referring to intoxicating hemp products sold outside of the licensed dispensary system.   

Nearly 60% of those polled described the state’s cannabis sales system as “good” or “excellent.” 

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Cresco Labs Cultivation Employees Leave Massachusetts Labor Union

4/24/2024

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Workers at a Cresco Labs cannabis cultivation facility in Massachusetts have voted to de-unionize in what is believed to be the first instance of unionized cannabis workers departing from organized labor, MJBizDaily reports.

Workers at the multi-state operator’s Fall Rivers cultivation site signed with the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 328 in November 2020, and their contract was set to expire this June.

Wyatt Brissette, the Cresco employee who initiated the de-unionization vote, said the benefits from belonging to the union didn’t justify its $40 monthly fees. “We felt as if (the union) didn’t match what we needed,” Brissette said in the report. Ultimately, 18 of the location’s 20 cultivation workers supported the move to de-certify.

Lindsey Dadourian, the senior vice president of employee and labor relations for Cresco Labs, said the company was “very proud” of the employees’ “trust in Cresco.”

“We have always supported our employees’ choice to decide about organized representation, and that goes both ways. We will continue to support our employees while also working to maintain positive and productive relationships with the local unions that continue to represent some of our employees elsewhere.” — Dadourian, via MJBizDaily

The de-certification vote presents a setback for organized labor in the cannabis industry, which has otherwise grown more frequent among workers at cannabis companies of all shapes and sizes.

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Massachusetts Gov. Awards Social Equity Grants to 50 Cannabis Companies

4/17/2024

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Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D) on Tuesday awarded 50 grants totaling $2,350,000 to cannabis social equity businesses in 28 communities through the state’s Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund (CSETF). The fund was established to provide financial assistance to eligible applicants and encourage the full participation in the state’s adult-use cannabis industry by entrepreneurs from communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition and enforcement.

“Our administration is committed to righting historic wrongs from the War on Drugs, both by addressing inequities in the criminal justice system and by advancing equity in the cannabis industry. With the Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund, we’re creating a sustainable and inclusive path to the industry for Massachusetts entrepreneurs that have faced barriers to entry. This funding will fill critical gaps necessary to allow social equity businesses to grow and succeed here in Massachusetts.” — Healey, in a press release    

The grant awardees are:   

  • Advesa MA, Inc., Cambridge, $50,000  
  • Apple Guy Flowers, LLC, Uxbridge, $50,000  
  • Aunty Budz LLC, Florence, $50,000   
  • Bada Bloom! Inc., Tyngsborough, $50,000   
  • Bailey’s Buds LLC, Dracut, $50,000   
  • Belle Fleur Holdings LLC, Blandford, $50,000   
  • Blossom Flower LLC, Holyoke, $50,000   
  • Blue Sky Organics LLC, Newton, $50,000   
  • Boston Bud Factory Inc., Holyoke, $50,000   
  • Bracts & Pistils, LLC, Taunton, $50,000   
  • Cloud 9 Cultivation LLC, Quincy, $20,000   
  • DB Delivery MA, LLC, Boston, $33,000   
  • Delivered, Inc., Clinton, $30,000   
  • Dris Corporation, Natick, $50,000   
  • Elevation Inc., Brockton, $50,000   
  • Ember Gardens Delivery LLC, Somerset, $50,000   
  • Freshly Baked Company, Taunton, $50,000   
  • Gan Or LLC, Northampton, $50,000   
  • Gas Bus LLC, Boston, $50,000   
  • Grassp Ventures LLC, Salem, $50,000   
  • Green Flash Delivery LLC, Boston, $50,000   
  • Greener Leaf, Inc., Fall River, $50,000  
  • Greenerside Holdings, LLC, Boston, $50,000   
  • Herbal Power LLC, Boston, $50,000   
  • Holyoke Smokes Corp, Holyoke, $50,000   
  • Home Grown 617 LLC, Cambridge, $50,000   
  • Infused Element, Holyoke, $35,000   
  • JimBuddys Rec Shop, Inc., Chicopee, $50,000   
  • KG Collective Brockton, LLC, Brockton, $32,000   
  • KindRun Massachusetts, LLC, Hudson, $50,000   
  • Lucky Green Ladies, LLC, Norton, $50,000   
  • Major Bloom, Worcester, $50,000   
  • Motah 420 LLC, Adams, $50,000   
  • New Dia, LLC, Worcester, $50,000   
  • On Root, LLC, Lynn, $50,000   
  • Paper Crane Provisions LLC, Hubbardston, $50,000   
  • Primus LLC, Springfield, $50,000   
  • Rolling Releaf, LLC, Newton, $50,000   
  • Rooted In LLC, Boston, $50,000   
  • Royal Sun Farm LLC, Hubbardston, $50,000   
  • Social-J, LLC, Northampton, $25,000   
  • Stone’s Throw Cannabis LLC, Boston, $25,000   
  • Team Green, LLC, Boston, $50,000   
  • Teddy’s Veggie Farm, Spencer, $50,000   
  • The Heritage Club LLC, Boston, $50,000   
  • Treevit LLC, Athol, $50,000   
  • Underground Legacy Social Club LLC, Boston, $50,000   
  • Uproot LLC, Worcester, $50,000   
  • Verdant Reparative Inc., Boston, $50,000   
  • Zyp Run, Inc., Boston, $50,000 

The grant awards come a little more than a month after Healey announced pardons for all misdemeanor cannabis possession convictions issued by the state. The pardons were approved earlier this month by the Governor’s Council, a requirement of the sweeping action. 

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Massachusetts Cannabis Pardons Approved By Governor’s Council

4/08/2024

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The Massachusetts Governor’s Council last week unanimously approved the mass pardoning request by Gov. Maura Healey (D) for cannabis possession convictions in the state, the State House News Service reports.

The pardoning action took immediate effect, theoretically wiping out all misdemeanor cannabis possession-related convictions ever handed out under Massachusetts state law.

“Massachusetts changed state laws around marijuana possession and this proposal is based on the simple premise of fairness and equity that a person should not bear the mark of conviction for an offense that is no longer a state crime.” — Suffolk County District Attorney Kevin Hayden, in a statement to the council

Notably, the courts have yet to establish a system for identifying individuals who have received a pardon and updating their records accordingly, the report said. Councilor Terrence Kennedy called on officials to establish an automated system for identifying eligible individuals, recording their new status, and notifying them of the pardon.

“Don’t you think we should be making more of an effort to find those other people, and who they are? Most people that have a marijuana conviction don’t know what’s going on in this room today, and never will,” Kennedy said in the report.

The governor and Lt. Gov. Kimberly Driscoll (D) have each stated that eligible individuals will not need to take any actions to receive the pardon but, if desired, they can apply for an optional pardon certificate from the governor’s office.

Gov. Healey’s pardoning action is the most significant follow-up to President Joe Biden’s request for governors to follow his lead in issuing pardons for low-level cannabis possession.

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Massachusetts Gov. Issues Sweeping Cannabis Possession Pardons

3/14/2024

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Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey (D) announced Wednesday she is moving to pardon all misdemeanor cannabis possession convictions issued by the state; the pardon action first requires approval from the Governor’s Council, then will take immediate effect.

The pardons will cover all Massachusetts misdemeanor cannabis convictions before March 13, 2024.

Most people will not need to take any action for the pardons to take effect, the governor said.

“Massachusetts decriminalized possession for personal use back in 2008, legalized it in 2016, yet thousands of people are still living with a conviction on their records – a conviction that may be a barrier to jobs, getting housing, even getting an education.” — Healey, via the Associated Press

“Nobody should face barriers to getting a job, housing or an education because of an old misdemeanor marijuana conviction that they would not be charged for today,” Healey said in a press release. “We’re taking this nation-leading action as part of our commitment to using the clemency process to advance fairness and equity in our criminal justice system.”

President Biden (D) in 2022 pardoned all low-level federal cannabis possession convictions; notably, Biden’s presidential pardons did not lead to the release of anyone serving prison time for a cannabis conviction. The president also called on governors to take similar action at the state level, and he awarded additional pardons late last year.

“We’re grateful for President Biden’s leadership on this at the federal level and proud to answer his call to take action in the states,” Gov. Healey said.

Healey’s pardoning action is supported by Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D), and Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D).

The Massachusetts state government hosts an FAQ for additional details.

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Therapeutic Psilocybin Proposal Advanced By Massachusetts Lawmakers

2/12/2024

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Lawmakers in the Massachusetts Joint Committee on Public Health advanced a proposal this week that would legalize psilocybin — the psychedelic compound in so-called “magic mushrooms” —  for medical, therapeutic, and spiritual purposes, Marijuana Moment reports.

Sponsored by Rep. Nicholas A. Boldyga (R), proposed bill H.3605 would allow the supervised use of psilocybin during sessions overseen “by a properly licensed facilitator.”

Under the bill, the state Department of Public Health would be in charge of licensing the program’s facilitators as well as the educational institutions where facilitators would be trained, and other regulations related to the program. Facilitators would be charged a $155 biennial licensing fee and would be required to complete between 20 and 300 hours of training from a licensed school, including at least 20 hours of in-person practice. Facilitators would also need to be high school graduates, residents of Massachusetts, aged 21+, and free of felonies for the past five years before they can apply for the program, the report said.

The proposal comes as advocates for psychedelics reform recently submitted signatures for a 2024 Massachusetts ballot proposal that, if approved by voters, would legalize psilocybin as a treatment for anxiety, depression, and PTSD, according to a CBS News report.

Massachusetts activist organization Bay Staters for Natural Medicine expressed support for the proposal. “The PAC can no longer claim that the only choice before voters is an unelected control commission to draft expensive regulations or no legalization at all. That was always a false choice, and we’re grateful that H.3605 passing out of its committee puts that on full display” said Michael Botelho, a cofounder of New England Veterans for Plant Medicine and a Massachusetts Marine Corp Veteran.

Oregon was the first state to legalize medicinal psilocybin following a successful voter initiative in 2020, and the very first state-licensed psilocybin treatment center in the U.S. opened for business in Eugene, Oregon last year. However, many advocates have pointed out that Oregon’s high licensing registration costs for practictioners (which amount to more than 20 times the fees proposed under H.3605) could result in treatments being inaccessible to people in need. Massachusetts’ bill would create a much more inclusive framework for psilocybin therapists to serve a broader range of patients.

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Massachusetts Sets New Annual $1.56B Cannabis Sales Record

2/08/2024

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Massachusetts cannabis dispensaries set a new annual sales record in 2023 at $1.56 billion, according to data from the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) outlined by Boston 25 News.

The year was capped off with the industry’s most lucrative month yet after licensed retailers sold $140.1 million worth of adult-use cannabis products in December, breaking the previous monthly sales record from August 2023. Regulators said the state is tracking 338 dispensaries and 21 cannabis delivery companies. Ultimately, annual cannabis sales increased last year by $78 million, or about 5%.

Despite the gains last year, the Massachusetts cannabis industry experienced a tumultuous 2023 following the sudden removal of CCC Chair Shannon O’Brien in September — who in turn sued the state treasurer over the decision. Then two more top CCC officials were suspended in December, which sent the agency into further disarray and prompted lawmakers to call for an investigation into the agency.

CCC Acting Chair Ava Concepcion said in the report that the state’s cannabis industry is “still a maturing market.”

“This continued growth confirms that Massachusetts’ regulated marijuana industry is still a maturing market,” said the acting CCC Chair Ava Concepcion.

“As more retailers and delivery licensees come online, flower prices start to stabilize, and the stigma surrounding cannabis slowly dissipates — legal, tested products are becoming more accessible, affordable, and approachable than ever before, and that’s reflected in the multiple sales records licensees broke in 2023.” — Concepcion, via Boston 25 News

Massachusetts voters approved cannabis legalization in 2016 and the state’s adult-use industry was launched in 2018. Sales have continued to grow each year and the state is on track to surpass more than $6 billion in total adult-use cannabis sales sometime this year.

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Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission in Turmoil as Managers Suspended

12/15/2023

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According to a report by WBUR, Boston’s NPR office, the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission is in a state of turmoil following the suspension of two top managers, Cedric Sinclair and Justin Shrader, earlier this month. This upheaval adds to the agency’s challenges, which include the suspension of its chair, Shannon O’Brien. Shrader has since resigned, and his position is now advertised on the commission’s job board, the report states.

The reasons behind the suspensions remain undisclosed, with the commission declining to comment beyond saying they do not discuss internal personnel matters. Neither Sinclair nor Shrader were willing to discuss the situation with reporters.

This comes in the wake of former executive director Shawn Collins stepping down and O’Brien’s legal battle against a review of her suspension, related to allegations of making racist comments and mishandling staff interactions. Specifically, an internal investigation found O’Brien had used the word “yellow” in reference to an Asian person, among other problematic interactions. In a court filing, O’Brien says her words were taken out of context and that she is being denied due process.

These events highlight significant management issues within the commission, responsible for overseeing the state’s $5 billion cannabis industry.

Lawmakers, including State Sen. Michael Moore, are calling for an oversight hearing to address these concerns, pointing to a disconnect between the commission’s staff and board and the need for organizational reform. The situation is further complicated by key vacancies in the commission and a reported delay in communicating critical incidents to the board.

In a statement cited by WBUR, Moore said, “the management staff overseeing the commission, the agency, is in disarray […] We need an oversight hearing. We need to find out what’s going on, what’s taken place.”

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Study: Massachusetts High Schoolers No More Likely to Use Cannabis Post-Legalization

11/27/2023

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A study by University of Massachusetts Amherst researchers found that high school students are no more likely to use cannabis after legalization but were more likely to use cannabis if they perceived that their family or friends used cannabis themselves.  

In a statement, Faith English, a doctoral candidate in the School of Public Health and Health Sciences and lead author of a paper published in a special issue of Clinical Therapeutics, said “It’s not news that youth are influenced by peers” but described the paper as “the first to look at these three particular roles within a person’s social network and then look at changes from pre- to post-legalization.”

“One of the million-dollar questions as cannabis policies are being implemented across the country is whether or not youth use increases after legalization. There’s a lot of concern that underage folks will start using cannabis with greater frequency. The brain isn’t done developing until about age 26, so the messaging really is to delay use until after that age.” — English in a press release 

The researchers analyzed two datasets collected by a local substance use coalition who surveyed students at two eastern Massachusetts high schools. After comparing data from 2016, prior to broad cannabis legalization in the state, and after legalization in 2018 but before retail cannabis stores opened, the researchers found no statistically significant differences in the prevalence of past 30-day cannabis use. Among the 2016 participants, 19% of females and 27% of males reported past 30-day cannabis use. In the 2018 survey, 20% of females and 28% of males reported past 30-day cannabis use. 

After legalization, there was an increase in the proportion of adolescents who reported a perception that their parents used cannabis (from 18% before legalization to 24% after legalization), even before retail stores opened. Perceived cannabis use by a best friend – compared to perceived use by a parent or sibling – had the largest association with cannabis use by adolescents, the researchers found. 

The study notes that “the impact of availability of retail cannabis for adult use could affect the associations observed in this study, but that was out of the scope of the present investigation.”  

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Lawsuit Filed Over 2022 Worker Death at Trulieve Facility in Massachusetts

11/24/2023

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The family of the woman who died last year at Trulieve’s Holyoke, Massachusetts cannabis facility has filed a lawsuit against the company and the people who worked on its HVAC system, NBC Boston reports. The lawsuit alleges negligence, recklessness, and misconduct surrounding the death of then-27-year-old Lorna McMurrey, who the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) said died after inhaling “ground cannabis dust.”

In the lawsuit, McMurrey’s family claims that she had an asthma attack about two months before her death while working at the facility and that “Truelive was aware of this incident, but took no steps to protect Lorna following her collapse while inside the Facility.”

A report published last week by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concluded that McMurrey’s death was the first reported occupational asthma death in the cannabis industry, although it did not name McMurrey in the report, NBC Boston reports. The report says the worker’s death “illustrates missed opportunities for prevention, including workplace exposures, medical surveillance, and treatment according to the current asthma guidelines.”

In January, Trulieve agreed to a settlement with OSHA that led to a $14,502 fine, reduced from $35,219.

In June, Trulieve announced plans to “wind down” its Massachusetts operations.

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Massachusetts Cannabis Company Suing Over Host Community Agreement Fees

10/11/2023

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A Pittsfield, Massachusetts cannabis company is suing the city over its Community Impact Fees, alleging officials have not identified any “impacts” the company has had on the community, JD Supra reports. Under the state’s legalization law, the Community Impact Fees imposed on cannabis businesses must be “reasonably related” to the costs incurred by a municipality as a result of cannabis business operations and municipalities must furnish annually documentary proof of such costs to operators. 

Berkshire Roots is seeking to recoup $440,000 in Community Impact Fees it paid to Pittsfield since 2018; however, the state’s legalization law does not expressly address whether cannabis businesses may recoup past Community Impact Fee payments that were not in accordance with the law.  

According to the complaint, Berkshire Roots has two so-called Host Community Agreements with the city – one for its medical cannabis operations and one for its adult-use operations.  

Amendments to the state’s legalization law expressly authorize licensees to sue host communities for breach of contract if a licensee believes the preceding year’s municipal cost documentation – which a municipality is now required to provide to an operator during the license renewal process – is not “reasonably related” to the actual costs imposed on the municipality. Under those provisions, licensees can sue to “recover damages, attorneys’ fees, and other costs encompassed in the community impact fee that are not reasonably related to the actual costs imposed upon the city or town,” according to the JD Supra review. Berkshire Roots’ lawsuit does not cite the new law as the legal basis for the lawsuit but references the prior statutory regime and a 2020 Guidance Document issued by the Cannabis Control Commission on Host Community Agreements. 

Pittsfield-based Bloom Brothers filed its own lawsuit against Pittsfield last year and is seeking to recoup $110,000 in Host Community Agreements fees, alleging the city has never provided the documentation showing the company’s impact on the city. 

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Former Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission Head Sues Over Suspension

10/03/2023

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The former chairwoman of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) is suing the state treasurer after she was removed from her position leading the agency, SHNS reports. In the lawsuit, Shannon O’Brien accuses Deborah Goldberg of removing her as head of the CCC “without notice, without articulated reason, and without any opportunity to be heard, all of which is required by the clear and unambiguous provisions of Massachusetts law … as well as basic norms of due process.” 

Goldberg had appointed O’Brien to chair the CCC a year ago but suspended her two weeks ago without offering a reason publicly. In a statement following the suspension, but prior to the lawsuit, Goldberg said she removed O’Brien based on “several serious allegations” made by an unnamed commissioner and staff about her behavior. In a response to the lawsuit, a spokesperson for Goldberg said the treasurer “is confident that she has taken the appropriate actions to address the matter.”

“Several serious allegations were made by a Commissioner and CCC staff about the Chair’s behavior and the CCC initiated an investigation, hiring an outside law firm. The law firm undertook an investigation and has returned with a report. According to the CCC’s employee handbook, suspension with pay is the only allowable remedy at this point, as the findings are being reviewed and action is considered. A second challenge involved in this situation is that the enabling legislation for the Commission clearly establishes the CCC as an independent entity. The role of the Treasurer is to appoint the Chair and jointly appoint two other Commissioners, but beyond that the office of the Treasurer has no other authority, oversight, management, or influence over the Commission.” — Goldberg in a statement 

The lawsuit is asking for a preliminary injunction to stop Goldberg from removing O’Brien, describing the move as “unlawful.” 

Last year, the CCC’s first chair, Steve Hoffman, resigned from the position. O’Brien’s lawsuit claims Hoffman left the role after the agency’s “entrenched bureaucracy” made “false allegations against him.” At that time, Hoffman offered no reason for his departure, saying it was “a natural inflection point when the time is right for a transition in leadership.”   

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Cannabis Sales in Massachusetts Total $5B Since Adult-Use Launch

9/12/2023

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Adult-use cannabis sales in Massachusetts reached $5 billion on August 31 after record-breaking monthly sales in June, July, and August, according to the state Cannabis Control Commission (CCC). Sales surpassed the $4 billion mark just eight months prior to hitting $5 billion, which the CCC said makes the period the shortest it’s taken for Massachusetts businesses to generate another $1 billion dollars in gross sales.

Cannabis sales commenced in Massachusetts in 2018. So far this year, adult-use cannabis sales have totaled more than $1 billion. 

In a statement, Commission Executive Director Shawn Collins noted that the milestone comes even as Maine, Rhode Island, and Connecticut also experienced record sales over the summer.  

“Demand for tested, quality cannabis products remains strong in the region, and consumers shopping in other states have not impacted Massachusetts’ success.” — Collins in a press release 

The agency also noted that, to date, just five cannabis retailers in the state have surrendered or allowed their license to expire, while just 16 of all cannabis businesses have either let their license expire, surrendered their license, or had it revoked. The state currently has 317 cannabis retailers, nine delivery couriers, eight delivery operators, and one microbusiness with a delivery endorsement.  

The CCC notes that it is also currently undergoing a regulatory review to implement new social equity rules and regulations. The agency has until November 9 to issue the updated program regulations.    

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Massachusetts Testing Lab Accuses Cannabis Regulators of Retaliation After CEO Voiced Lab Fraud Concerns

7/20/2023

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A Massachusetts cannabis testing laboratory is accusing the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) of retaliating against it after its CEO testified to lawmakers about public health concerns and lab fraud related to the state’s cannabis industry, the Boston Herald reports.  

During a hearing Tuesday testifying on bills that would change the way the cannabis industry operates in the state, MCR Labs CEO Michael Kahn said the “CCC enforcement staff may be misusing investigations as a pretext to silence and harass licensees.” 

“I reached out to the CCC with concerns about public health on multiple occasions over the past several years. Instead of listening or taking action, CCC staff, in my opinion, retaliated by opening an investigation into our laboratory.” — Kahn, during his testimony, via the Herald 

Kahn said that after he had given a presentation about lab fraud in the cannabis industry, eight CCC staff arrived at his lab and conducted a six-hour inspection that he described as “unfocused and unprofessional.” He said that the staff demanded about 20,000 pages of documents and about 30,000 hours of video.  

Dan Delaney, executive director of the Association of Cannabis Testing Laboratories, told lawmakers that Kahn’s experience is not unique. 

“Licensees recognize the power that the CCC has and understandably fear retaliation if they contest the commission’s intent or actions,” he testified to the panel. “I’ve heard it from other labs, and I’ve heard it from other licensees outside the lab testing space. The real problem is structural.” 

In a statement to the Herald, the CCC confirmed it “has several ongoing enforcement matters regarding MCR Labs.”  

“Relative to this licensee’s testimony, Commission staff completed an unannounced inspection in March 2023 at another Independent Testing Lab (ITL) the week prior to the MCR Labs inspection for some of the same reasons and looking for similar records,” a CCC spokesperson told the Herald. “With regards to other investigations referenced during the hearing that remain ongoing, the agency will not comment at this time.” 

The legislative panel was hearing testimony on S.58 and H.106, which aims to establish an internal special audit unit within the Cannabis Control Commission. 

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Massachusetts Cannabis Sales Hit New Record in June

7/14/2023

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Sales of both adult-use and medical cannabis in Massachusetts reached record highs in June totaling $1.32 million and $1.079 million, respectively, according to state Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) data. The flower price-per-gram is also at its lowest point since the launch of legal sales in the state to $5.82. 

So far this year, the state cannabis retailers have sold $760.61 million worth of cannabis products, according to CCC data. Cultivators are also harvesting more plants than ever before – in April, the most recent month for which data is available, Massachusetts cannabis growers harvested 3,400 plants  

In all, adult-use cannabis sales in Massachusetts have topped $4.74 billion since the launch of the legal market. Medical cannabis sales in the state have totaled $1.08 billion since 2019.  

Flower is the most common product purchased in the state with more than $2.9 billion in sales since 2018. Vape products are the second most popular category ($857 million), followed by edibles ($685 million), pre-rolls ($622 million), and concentrates ($367 million). 

The per-ounce flower price in June was $164.97; in January 2020, the flower price per ounce was a whopping $416.54. Adult-use cannabis sales carry a state sales tax of 6.25%, a state excise tax of 10.75%, and a local option tax for municipalities up to 3%. Medical cannabis sales are not taxed. 

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Massachusetts Group Files Paperwork to Put Psychedelic Decriminalization Question on Ballots

7/13/2023

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A group called Massachusetts for Mental Health Options last week filed paperwork with state regulators signaling plans to put a psychedelic decriminalization ballot question to voters, CBS News reports. In the filing, the group states its purpose is “To expand mental health treatment options in Massachusetts by providing new pathways to access natural psychedelic medicine therapy” and the ballot question would seek to create “access to natural psychedelic medicine therapy” and remove “criminal penalties for personal possession of these medicines.” 

Responding to an inquiry from CBS News, Ben Unger, of the group New Approach, which helped the passage of psychedelic therapy ballot questions in Colorado and Oregon, described the Massachusetts proposal as “still very much in the exploratory phase.” 

“The coalition is still forming and the policy is still going through a process of being vetted, discussed and finalized. As you can imagine, lots [of] details to iron out.” — Unger to CBS News 

The campaign has until August 2 to file an initiative petition for the 2024 election. New Approach is not listed on the paperwork submitted last week. The point of contact listed is MLM Strategies. 

Colorado and Oregon are the only two states, along with Washington D.C., that have legalized some psychedelics for therapeutic use and decriminalized possession of small amounts. In all three cases, the reforms were approved by voters in ballot initiatives.   

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Highdration Kitchen Launches First & Only Cannabis-Infused Ice Cubes In Massachusetts

7/11/2023

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New Product Innovation Will Make Cannabis Consumption More Accessible, Creative, and Social

FRAMINGHAM, MASSACHUSETTS, June 28, 2023 – Highdration Kitchen announced its launch of the first and only cannabis-infused ice cubes in Massachusetts, called melt. This new category innovation is designed to appeal to a wide range of consumers from cannabis regulars to the “canna curious.”
melt will soon be available at licensed dispensaries throughout the state.

melt infused ice cubes are designed to enhance homemade drinks like seltzers, juices, teas, coffees, and mocktails. melt cubes are sold in pure liquid form in pre-packaged ice trays of 10 infused cubes and designed to be easily frozen and consumed at home.

“We know from early concept research that there’s a real market for a cannabis beverage enhancement that caters to the DIY beverage consumer,” said Harry Groome, founder, and CEO of Highdration Kitchen. “People love the ritual of creating and serving their own drink recipes and our melt cubes offer a fun and social way to add more life to those drinks.”

melt infused cubes are made from a blend of THC, natural fruit juices and preservatives, and distilled water, with no sugar added. melt’s first three flavor offerings will be original (no flavor), lemon, and lime, with new flavors and line extensions planned for later this year.

Each melt cube is precisely infused with 5mg of THC for a consistent consumption experience. melt infused ice cubes offer a gradual release of THC as they melt and evenly mix into any drink. A single tray of melt cubes (10 cubes per tray) contains 50mg of THC. MSRP for melt is $20 per tray and $2 per cube. For more about melt, please visit www.meltcubes.com.

ABOUT HIGHDRATION KITCHEN
Founded in Massachusetts in 2022, Highdration Kitchen is focused on creating brand innovation and differentiation in the cannabis-infused beverage market. The company is committed to using only the highest quality ingredients and production methods to deliver a purer, more natural, and more social cannabis experience. Highdration Kitchen’s line of melt ice cubes is the first in its pipeline of product innovations and offers consumers a more social and do-it yourself cannabis brand experience.

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Trulieve to “Wind Down” Operations in Massachusetts

6/02/2023

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Multistate cannabis operator Trulieve Cannabis Corp. on Thursday announced plans to “wind down” its operations in Massachusetts. The company said the move is part of its broader plan to “preserve cash and improve financial performance.” 

Since mid-2022, Trulieve has also shut down some of its California assets, exited the Nevada wholesale market, and idled some of its production capacity “to match consumer demand across multiple markets.” 

The company said it would close its dispensaries in Framingham, Northampton, and Worcester by June 30 and would end all its operations in Massachusetts by the end of the year. 

In a press release, Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers described the measures as “difficult but necessary” and part of the company’s “ongoing efforts to bolster business resilience” and its “commitment to cash preservation” as the company continues to focus on its “business strategy of going deep in our core markets and jettisoning non-contributive assets.” 

“We remain fully confident in our strategic position and the long-term prospects for the industry.” — Rivers in a statement 

Trulieve previously closed its retail locations in Palm Springs, Venice, and Grover Beach California. Once it ends its Massachusetts operations, Trulieve will be operational in 10 states.  

The company said it “continues to evaluate the performance of assets and markets within the current macroeconomic environment and will take additional steps as needed to optimize the business” and “is focused on cash preservation and cash generation while continuing to make targeted investments in retail expansion as well as advanced data and technology platforms to set the foundation for a future defined by integrated commerce.” 

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Cannabis Clones & Seeds Now Available via Massachusetts Retailers

5/05/2023

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The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) on Tuesday authorized the sale of cannabis seeds and clones. The products can be sold by adult-use and medical retailers and through licensed delivery services. 

If licensees sell seeds or clones at wholesale or to consumers, the CCC requires that they be tracked via METRC, the state’s seed-to-sale tracking system. Seeds will be tracked in packages, while clones are tracked as immature plants. Clones are also subject to pesticide screening in accordance with state regulations. 

In a statement, CCC Executive Director Shawn Collins said the agency encourages home growers “to follow public awareness tips available through MoreAboutMJ.org.”  

“Safety is paramount to us at the Commission. I’m proud that for the first time ever, Massachusetts residents will now be able to purchase both seeds and clones from licensed retailers and dispensaries that are closely regulated and tracked.” — Collins in a press release 

Retailers may sell up to six clones to an individual customer per day but there is no limit on seeds. Massachusetts law allows adult consumers aged 21 or older to grow up to six plants at home, or up to 12 plants in households with more than one person over 21. Registered medical cannabis patients who have received a Certifying Healthcare Provider recommendation as part of the Medical Use of Marijuana Program may grow up to 12 vegetative plants, 12 flowering plants, and possess an unlimited number of seeds. They may purchase six clones per day, which are not counted against their 60-day cannabis supply. 

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Massachusetts’ Harpoon Brewery Launches its First THC Beverage

2/24/2023

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Harpoon Brewery has launched its first THC-based beverage, Rec. Weed, in partnership with Novel Beverage Company. The company describes Rec. Weed as “hop-forward yet approachable.” It contains no alcohol, 5 milligrams of THC, real passionfruit puree, green tea, and hops. 

Dan Kenary, CEO and co-founder of Harpoon, said it partnered with Novel on the product because of its “vast knowledge” of the cannabis industry and “strong New England roots.” Both companies are based in Massachusetts.

“The adult beverage space is constantly evolving. With THC now legalized in states across much of the country – especially here in the Northeast – we saw not only high demand for a THC-based beverage, but an opportunity to experiment in a way that would uniquely leverage our strengths in the beer world.” — Kenary in a press release 

Rec. Weed is the second cannabis-inspired product from Harpoon’s parent company, Mass. Bay Brewing Company, after previously launching Long Trail’s CBD Seltzer. The CBD Seltzer is available in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Vermont.  

Rec. Weed is currently only available at adult-use dispensaries in Massachusetts. Novel products are available at adult-use cannabis dispensaries in Maine and Massachusetts. Novel has also worked with Shipyard Brewing and Sea Dog Brewing on cannabis beverages.  

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Massachusetts Extends Pandemic Policies Including Medical Cannabis Telehealth & Curbside Pickup Services

2/14/2023

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The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) has voted to extend several coronavirus pandemic-related medical cannabis policies, including telehealth consultations and curbside pickup, according to a Boston University Statehouse Program report. The initial policies were approved in March 2020 and since then 80% of first-time medical cannabis consultations were conducted via telehealth, the report says. 

Even as the pandemic waned and pandemic-related restrictions loosened, the majority – 53% – of initial consultations were conducted remotely, according to CCC data outlined in the report. The agency voted to extend the telehealth policies until the end of the year. 

During the vote last week, Commissioner Kimberly Roy called the extension “at odds with existing regulations.” Then-Gov. Charlie Baker (R) lifted the state’s pandemic emergency policies last spring. 

“The pandemic is winding down, so we can’t just keep kicking the can. If we are voting on an extension, I hope it’s the last one and that we are able to address this in regulation at some time.” — Roy via the Statehouse Program report 

Some commission members voiced concerns that extending curbside pickup rules could lead to drive-thru windows, which are not permitted under the state’s medical or adult-use cannabis laws. Currently, there are 13 medical dispensaries offering curbside pickup, compared to 30 in December 2021.  

The curbside pickup policies were also extended through the end of the year.  

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Massachusetts Total Adult-Use Cannabis Sales Surpass $4B

1/30/2023

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Adult-use sales in Massachusetts on January 12 surpassed $4 billion since the market’s 2018 launch, the state Cannabis Control Commission announced last week. The sales were generated through 265 retail dispensaries and 14 delivery businesses. The state only began allowing delivery in 2021.     

In a statement, commission Executive Director Shawn Collins noted that demand for cannabis in the commonwealth “remains strong.” 

“As new jurisdictions come online, I am confident that licensees in the commonwealth will maintain the competitive edge by demonstrating to peers what it takes to operate a safe, effective, and equitable cannabis industry.” — Collins in a statement 

The agency indicated there has so far been 18 Economic Empowerment Applicant licensees, 29 Social Equity Program Participant licensees, and 50 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises – or state-certified minority-, woman-, or veteran-owned companies – issued to date and that 900 participants have benefitted from the state’s technical assistance and training program for social equity applicants.  

Adult-use cannabis sales in Massachusetts surpassed the $3 billion mark on May 18, 2022.  

In 2022, 71 new cannabis retailers opened for business across the state, along with three Marijuana Couriers and four Marijuana Delivery Operators. In total, they generated $1,483,898,510 in sales for the calendar year. 

The agency said social consumption licenses could be awarded this year. 

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Massachusetts Recreational Consumer Council

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Trulieve Settles with OSHA in Worker Death Case at Massachusetts Facility

1/05/2023

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In a settlement with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Massachusetts cannabis company Trulieve will pay a $14,502 fine over the death of Lorna McMurrey, a worker at the company’s Holyoke facility who died in early 2022.

In their report following the incident, OSHA said McMurrey, 27, died after inhaling “ground cannabis dust” while filling pre-rolls.   

In a Dec. 22, 2022 press release, Trulieve described the agreement with OSHA as “voluntary.” Initially, Trulieve was fined $35,219. Under the agreement, OSHA withdrew two of the “serious” items in the citation, including items involving having a “safety data sheet” and providing training under OSHA’s hazard communication standard. The remaining citation, identifying the standard for listing “hazardous chemicals,” was replaced with a citation about conducting a hazard analysis.    

Additionally, Trulieve will evaluate a series of actions that may include: 

  • Engaging a health professional to develop a program that gives workers guidance on how to manage potential health impacts resulting from potential reactions to ground cannabis dust. 
  • Making employees more aware of job transfer options, if available. 
  • Making permanent the temporary information and training program. 
  • Investigating options to better limit access and exposure to the areas where commercial grinding of cannabis occurs. 
  • Establishing policies that increase the presence of workers available who are trained in first aid. 

In a statement, Trulieve CEO Kim Rivers said the company is “pleased” to have entered into the agreement with OSHA.  

“We are proud of the many protections we have already put in place for our workers. However, as an industry leader in what is still a relatively new manufacturing business, we want to continue to establish best practices, so our workers can have the health and safety assurances they need.” — Rivers in a statement 

The agreement will also require Trulieve to conduct a study to determine whether ground cannabis dust is required to be classified as a “hazardous chemical” in the occupational setting, according to OSHA regulations. Work on the study is to be completed by May 29, 2023. 

“Increased-scale manufacturing in our industry is a relatively new endeavor,” Rivers said, “and we are determined to continually ask questions and seek answers to make our workplace the safest and healthiest it can possibly be.” 

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