Boston Considering Proposal to Prefer Local Residents for Cannabis Licenses
Wed / Feb 6th
Rule changes proposed by a Boston City Councilor include provisions to ease access by minorities and those previously charged with cannabis crimes.
Massachusetts Cannabis News
Massachusetts, which launched its legal adult-use marketplace in 2018, was the first New England state to legalize recreational cannabis. Find all of the latest Massachusetts cannabis industry news updates and information below:
Report: 79% of Massachusetts Cannabis Contracts Are Abuse of Municipal Power
Thu / Jan 24th
“Host community agreements” between cannabis companies and municipalities exceed state laws limiting the amount allowed to be paid to local governments.
Massachusetts Dispensary Replaces Lines With App
Mon / Jan 21st
The state’s other seven dispensaries all opened to long in-person lines, a challenge Northeast Alternatives hopes to avoid.
Massachusetts Subcommittee Votes to Allow Cannabis Cafes
Thu / Jan 10th
Regulators also recommended allowing home delivery. The recommendations will now be considered by the Cannabis Control Commission.
Massachusetts Plans “Open Container” Laws for Cannabis
Thu / Jan 3rd
Massachusetts regulators are attempting to align laws for driving under the influence of cannabis with existing alcohol laws.
Massachusetts Bill Would Protect Jobs of Cannabis Users
Thu / Dec 27th
A state senator in Massachusetts is aiming to align state labor laws with the fact that cannabis prohibition has been ended.
Massachusetts Cannabis Sales Thrive Following Market Launch
Wed / Nov 28th
Massachusetts’ two licensed cannabis retailers grossed $2.2 million in sales over just five days, MassLive reports. The information was released… Read More
Massachusetts Adult-Use Sales Launch Today
Tue / Nov 20th
The first two adult-use retail outlets are finally open in Massachusetts, more than two years after voters decided to legalize… Read More
Massachusetts Prepares for Adult-Use Sales By End of November
Tue / Nov 13th
After nearly a year of delays, Massachusetts has made the final approvals necessary for a complete regulated supply chain and… Read More
Massachusetts Issues First Cannabis Retailer Licenses
Fri / Oct 5th
The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission has issued the first set of licenses for cannabis retailers since the state voted to… Read More
Massachusetts Growers Could Sue the State’s Cannabis Control Commission
Wed / Sep 12th
Cannabis cultivators in Massachusetts are considering a lawsuit to make the state’s Cannabis Control Commission review the statutorily-required agreements between cannabis… Read More
Massachusetts Cannabis Commission Gets Tough On Municipal Profiteering
Fri / Jul 27th
The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (MCCC) made an official announcement Thursday reminding municipalities who are seeking agreements with adult-use cannabis businesses… Read More
Study: Cannabis Decriminalization Laws Work Without Increasing Youth Access
Tue / Jul 24th
A recent study by Washington University found a significant drop in adult and youth cannabis arrests and no increase in… Read More
Massachusetts’ U.S. Attorney Announces Limited Cannabis Enforcement Policies
Thu / Jul 12th
Massachusetts‘ top federal prosecutor, U.S. Attorney Andrew Lelling, announced on Tuesday that he will focus his cannabis enforcement efforts on… Read More
Massachusetts Issues First Adult-Use Cannabis Retail License
Mon / Jul 2nd
Massachusetts has issued the state’s first retail adult-use cannabis license, according to a MassLive report. The retail license allows the recipient company,… Read More
Massachusetts Plans Nation’s First Social Equity Cannabis Work Program
Wed / Jun 27th
Massachusetts is in the early stages of launching the first social equity cannabis work program in the nation, according to a MassLive report.… Read More
Mass. Regulators to Vote On First Adult-Use Cannabis License
Wed / Jun 20th
The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission is set to vote on the state’s first adult-use cannabis cultivation license on Thursday, reports… Read More
Massachusetts Cannabis Regulators Mistakenly Approve, Then Rescind, 10 Retail Cannabis Applications
Thu / May 10th
The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission mistakenly approved 10 priority certification retail cannabis applications that were supposed to be denied, according… Read More
Massachusetts Opens Next Round of Cannabis Business Licenses
Wed / May 2nd
Applications for a variety of Massachusetts canna-businesses are now open including craft cooperatives, micro-businesses, transporters, independent testing laboratories, and lab… Read More
Boston Regulators Approve Cannabis Zoning Rules
Fri / Apr 13th
The Boston, Massachusetts Zoning Commission has approved regulations that will allow retail cannabis businesses to operate in any of the… Read More
Massachusetts Regulators Receive 200+ Applications in First 24 hours
Wed / Apr 4th
The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission has received more than 200 adult-use cannabis industry applications since they began accepting some applications… Read More
Massachusetts Begins Accepting Some Adult-Use Cannabis Applications
Mon / Apr 2nd
Starting today, the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission will begin accepting applications for priority certification as registered marijuana dispensaries and economic… Read More
Derek Cloutier: Veterans, PTSD, and Medical Cannabis
Thu / Mar 29th PODCAST
Derek Cloutier is the president and co-founder of the New England Veterans Alliance, a non-profit organization that helps veterans reduce… Read More
Massachusetts Alcohol Regulators Block CBD Beer Claiming FDA Rules Violation
Mon / Mar 26th
The Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission will not allow a local brewer to move forward with plans to roll out… Read More
History of Massachusetts cannabis policy
Massachusetts was the very first U.S. state to restrict cannabis use —over 100 years later, in 2013, it became the 18th state to legalize medical cannabis. And in 2016, Massachusetts also legalized recreational cannabis, becoming the first New England state to legalize adult-use cannabis. The state’s regulated marketplace officially opened for business in 2018, which ultimately put pressure on other New England states to pass their own adult-use cannabis reforms (the majority of which have since done exactly that).
Industry overview
The Massachusetts cannabis industry is overseen by the state’s Cannabis Control Commission. Adult-use cannabis carries a 10.75% excise tax as well as the state’s standard 6.25% sales tax; there is also an optional local tax of up to 3%, for a total tax rate of 17%-20%. But while cannabis possession and cultivation have been legalized statewide, more than 100 towns and municipalities have passed bans on licensed retailers and other industry operators.
Cannabis possession & purchasing rules
- Adults aged 21+ in Massachusetts can possess up to one ounce of cannabis flower or five grams of concentrate on their person.
- Adults can store up to 10 ounces in a secure/locked place at home.
- Anyone 21 or older can also purchase cannabis products from licensed retailers. Purchases are limited to one ounce of flower or five grams of concentrate.
- Adult residents of Massachusetts can grow up to six cannabis plants at home with a max of 12 per household.
What is this website?
Ganjapreneur.com is an online platform dedicated to providing useful information and resources to cannabis industry entrepreneurs, investors, and other professionals. From our comprehensive business index to our daily newsletter, our priority is to help connect and inform the cannabis industry and its ancillary partners.
