Meeting-Book-Cannabis-Control-Commission-Public-Meeting — File 25-0152

Cannabis Control Commission Public Meeting In-Person and Remote via Teams

Call to Order Commission Discussion & Votes Meeting Agenda 12.05.2024.docx 12-5-2024 Presentation.pdf Next Meeting Date & Adjournment Meeting Book - Cannabis Control Commission Public Meeting Table of Contents

December 3, 2024 In accordance with Sections 18-25 of Chapter 30A of the Massachusetts General Laws and Chapter 2 of the Acts of 2023, notice is hereby given of a meeting of the Cannabis Control Commission. The meeting will take place as noted below. CANNABIS CONTROL COMMISSION December 5, 2024 10:00 AM Worcester Union Station 2 Washington Square Worcester, MA 01604 In-Person and Remote via Microsoft Teams PUBLIC MEETING AGENDA I. Call to Order II. Commission Discussion and Vote 1. Presentation and Discussion of Social Consumption Regulatory Framework Social Consumption Working Group III. New Business Not Anticipated at Time of Posting IV. Next Meeting Date V. Adjournment *Closed captioning available If you need reasonable accommodations in order to participate in the meeting, contact the ADA Coordinator Debra Hilton-Creek in advance of the meeting. While the Commission will do its best to accommodate you, certain accommodations may not be available if requested immediately before the meeting.

December 5, 2024 Commissioner Camargo and Acting Chair Stebbins Regulatory Framework Presentation Social Consumption

1. Introduction 2. How We Got Here and Why Now 3. Outreach and Policy Development 4. Social Consumption License Classes 5. Policy Considerations 6. Implementation Agenda

A Marijuana Establishment licensed by the Commission where Consumers can purchase and safely consume Marijuana and Marijuana Products. What is a Social Consumption Establishment?

State of Social Consumption

How We Got Here and Why Now Regulatory Timeline As of December 5, 2024 November 8, 2016 Massachusetts voters approved adult-use cannabis legalization July 28, 2017 Governor Baker signed Chapter 55 of the Acts of 2017 into law December 22, 2017 Inaugural draft adult-use regulations approved by the Commission • State officials requested a pause on Social Consumption citing public heath and safety concerns September 24, 2019 Social Consumption and Delivery (Delivery-Only model) license types approved in regulatory changes • Included Pilot Program for 12 communities • Legislative change still needed to enable cities and towns to opt-in as host communities November 9, 2022 Chapter 180 of the Acts of 2022 took effect • Enabled municipalities to opt-in to Social Consumption, created Social Equity Businesses and Social Equity Trust Fund September 27, 2023 Commissioners approved regulations eliminating Social Consumption Pilot Program among Chapter 180 reforms March 7, 2018 Adult-use cannabis regulations approved by the Commission without Social Consumption licenses December 5, 2024 Policy framework for Social Consumption reform proposed May 22, 2023 Commission approved elimination of Social Consumption Pilot Program in a policy vote June-July 2023 Working Group listening sessions and fact-finding trip to San Francisco and Oakland, California February 18, 2023 Social Consumption Working Group formed

Chapter 180 of the Acts of 2022 "AN ACT RELATIVE TO EQUITY IN THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY" provided key tools to help support the Social Consumption License Regulatory Framework • (1) 94G was amended to allow communities to allow social consumption through referendum and expanded option to permit cities or towns to opt in by by-law or ordinance change • (2) Created Social Equity Fund to support the needs of Social Equity Business, Social Equity and Economic Empowerment Participants to access critical capital resources - Managed by Executive Office of Economic Development • (3) Required Host Communities to adopt Social Equity strategies for their community that may support SE, EE and SEB license applicants (by May 1, 2024) • (4) Streamlined the Host Community Agreement process • (5) Allows combustion, heating, vaporization or aerosolization of cannabis products, at a licensed marijuana social consumption establishment. How We Got Here and Why Now

• Administration & Operations • Constituent Services • Communications • Digital and Creative Services • Enforcement Counsel • Equity Programming and Community Outreach • Finance • Government Affairs and Policy How We Got Here and Why Now Department Collaboration with Social Consumption Regulatory Working Group • Human Resources • Information Technology • Investigations Team • Legal • Licensing • Project Management • Research • Testing

• Trainings - Two full RVT training sessions - Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) training - TIPS certification training • Public Listening Sessions - Holyoke Community College: June 27, 2023 - Virtual Listening Session: July 18, 2023 - Mass Bay Community College: July 20, 2023 • State Regulator Outreach - CA, CO, IL, MI, NJ, NM, NY, and NV • Local Outreach - Commission survey to potential applicants: Economic Empowerment Applicants, Social Equity Program Participants, Microbusinesses, and Craft Marijuana Cooperative license applicants - Existing Smoking Establishments • Key Stakeholder Outreach Outreach and Policy Development

Outreach and Policy Development • Appointing Authorities​ • Alcohol Beverage Control Commission • Cannabis Advisory Board • Commercial Real Estate Professionals • Equitable Opportunities Now (EON) • Executive Office of Public Safety and Security • Insurance Brokers • Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy Co-Chairs • Local Boards of Public Health • Local Marijuana Establishment Owners • Local and Nationwide Creative Cannabis Agencies • Nationwide Event Facilitators • Nationwide Social Consumption Brands • City of Boston • City of Cambridge • City of Chelsea • City of Holyoke • City of Northampton • Town of Provincetown • City of Somerville • City of Springfield Key Stakeholder Outreach

• Massachusetts Cannabis Business Association • Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition's Social Consumption Subcommittee • Massachusetts Chiefs of Police • Massachusetts Department of Public Health • Massachusetts District Attorneys Association • Massachusetts Marijuana Establishment Owners • Massachusetts Municipal Association • Massachusetts Municipal Police Training Committee • Massachusetts Patients Advocacy Alliance • Massachusetts Regional Tourism Councils • Massachusetts Restaurant Association • Occupational Safety and Health Administration Outreach and Policy Development Key Stakeholder Outreach

Break break

On-Site Social Consumption License Classes For: Qualifying Entities may organize and host Temporary Consumption Events. EVENT ORGANIZER For: Qualifying Consumption Licensee in a new or existing non-cannabis commercial business space HOSPITALITY • On-site Consumption allowed within a new cannabis business, or attached to an existing non-cannabis business • Mixed-use space allowed as a partnership with a non-cannabis business • Examples: Lounge, Café, Entertainment/Recreational Space, Yoga Studio, Theater, Lodging Space For: Existing, qualifying MEs, including Cultivators, Product Manufacturers, Retailers, Microbusinesses, Craft Marijuana Cooperatives or Delivery Operators SUPPLEMENTAL • On-site Consumption allowed within or attached to an existing ME • May host social consumption activities within existing facility or adjoining space • Consumers may consume product purchased on site • Examples: ME with an On-site Consumption Space attached – Lounge, Café, Tasting Room, etc. SCE Licenses are subject to an exclusivity period of 60 months for SEBs, SEPs, EEAs, Microbusinesses, and Craft Marijuana Cooperatives • Only ME Licensees can participate in the Event • Temporary On-site Consumption Permit allowed at single or multiple locations • May store/purchase cannabis at Principal Place of Business (PPB) • HCA required at PPB, local permitting and approval needed for Temporary Consumption Events • Events no more than five days in length nor more than 24 events per year

Supplemental License Type

• For qualified Cultivators, Product Manufacturers, Retailers, Microbusinesses, Craft Cooperative Grower Licensees, or Delivery Operators • Host social consumption activities within existing facility or adjoining space • Consumption of product purchased on site Supplemental License Type

Supplemental License Type

Hospitality License Type

Hospitality License Type • License for a qualified social consumption business within a new or existing commercial business space • Partnership of Eligible Cannabis Business and Non- Cannabis Business • Consumption of product purchased on site • Examples: Lounge, Café, Entertainment or Recreational Space, Comedy Club, Yoga Studio, Theater, Lodging Space etc.

Hospitality License Type

Hospitality License Type

Event Organizer License Type

Event Organizer License Type • Low start-up cost opportunity • May store cannabis at PPB and purchase wholesale for retail at Temporary Consumption Events (TCE) • Only ME Licensees may participate in TCEs • Local permitting and approval process required • Events no more than 5 days in length and no more than 24 events per year

Event Organizer License Type: Example A

Kitchen Pre-Roll Station Dance Floor Consumption Area Event Organizer License Type: Example B

Feedback comments and then break

Policy Considerations Public Health and Public Safety: • Employee safety (e.g., ventilation, signage) • No intersection of alcohol or tobacco and tobacco products within licensed spaces/ premises • Provide for employee safety with PPE and right to be shifted to other job responsibilities at employee’s request • Special Responsible Vendor Training (RVT) requirements for all registered agents working at a Social Consumption Establishment with focus on Drug and Alcohol Impairment Recognition • Standard Operating Procedures for “cool down strategies” to help customers with adverse reactions

Policy Considerations Public Health and Public Safety (cont'd): • 30-minute cut-off before posted closing hour of licensee • Transportation strategy still required for all licensees to assist impaired consumers • Product menu information to include projected times for onset to be provided by licensee​ • ID checks to confirm attendees are ages 21+ required prior to entry​ • No cannabis products to be brought into a Social Consumption Establishment; personal product to be disposed, stored or customer must leave premise • Dosage Increase from Original Social Consumption Regulations

Policy Considerations Exclusivity Period: • Exclusivity period for all Social Consumption License Types extended to 60 months (5 years) after first Hospitality On-site Social Consumption Licensee Commences Operations • Current regulations allow for three-year exclusivity period Air Quality: • Air handling system requirement will depend on planned activities • Existing regulations were strengthened and enhanced • Regulatory allowance for Executive Director to give approval and authorization of new consumption products, methods, and technology Patient Access: • Access for Qualified Patients

Policy Considerations Food: • Food services to be required at all licensed Marijuana Establishments • Food and any infused cannabis products must be served to Consumer separately • Food service training to be required at establishments where food is prepared on site • Options also include delivery services or partnerships with existing and possibly adjacent restaurants/food establishment • Limited research does show food consumption can slow onset of THC

Presentation of Regulatory Framework- December 5 Recap of Working Group deliverables and outcomes Presentation of regulatory framework Policy Discussion- December 17 Red-Lined Regulations released Informal public comment period to begin upon Commission vote and extend for 30 business days Regulatory Drafting and Promulgation Draft regulations public meeting discussion Initiate formal public comment period Final regulations public meeting discussion Implementation Implementation

Intended Regulatory Timeline Intended Timeframe Release Draft of Redline Regulations to Commissioners Dec. 9 Release Redlined Regulations for Informal Comments On or around December 17 Close of Informal Comment Period One month Working Group to Edit Regulations Three-week period Commissioners to Redline Regulations in Public Meeting One week Formal Notice of Public Hearing One week Commission to File Redlined Regulations with Secretary of State Two-weeks Formal Public Comment Period (including outreach to CAB and key stakeholders) Three-weeks Public Hearing on Regulations One day Commission Edits to Regulations based on Public Comments Three-week period Commissioner Edits to Regulations in Public Meeting One week Commission to File with Secretary of State Two-weeks Secretary of State to Publish About three months from initial filing (goal of mid-2025) * Dates subject to change Regulatory Drafting and Promulgation

Implementation Internal Implementation • Commission internal impact assessment and implementation procedures • Application development • Guidance materials • Licensing updates • RVT curricula updates and training • Creation of Implementation Working Groups • Development of public education campaign • Inspections and Enforcement SOP developments • Social Equity Program Curriculum Update- Social Consumption Track Internal Implementation (continued) • Outside vendor updates (e.g., MassCIP, Metrc) • Responses to RVT solicitation • Secure funding for public education campaign • Secure funding for additional personnel External Implementation • Municipal decisions • Opt-in by Ordinance, Bylaw or Petition • Revisions to zoning codes • Development of social equity strategies • HCAs • Local permitting processes • Licensee business decisions • Infrastructure • Compliance • Partnerships • Capital Access

Establishing Implementation Working Groups to assist the Commission with the Introduction of Social Consumption Licenses • Public Education Campaign – Working with our Communications Division and partners to message responsible consumption and policy changes • Social Consumption Responsible Vendor Training – Partnering with stakeholders to create a successful training curriculum for Marijuana Agents • Municipal Advisory – Helping communities to understand and adopt social consumption license types, guidance, bylaws and best practices • Adaptation and Technical Assistance– Envisioning the opportunities for these license types using a collaborative community approach with the Commission Implementation

Discussion