Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission Faces Challenges Amid Staffing Shortages and Regulatory Delays
The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission is currently operating with only three members, following the departure of Commissioner Nurys Camargo in May. The commission is responsible for finalizing regulations on social consumption of cannabis, a crucial step in implementing the state’s recreational marijuana law.
The commission’s chair, Shannon O’Brien, was suspended in September 2023 and later fired in September 2024, amid allegations of making insensitive comments. The treasurer, Deborah Goldberg, has not yet appointed a new chair, and the commission is struggling to move forward with key regulatory changes.
The commission’s work on social consumption regulations has been delayed, with the agency indicating that it aims to finalize the rules by mid-2025. However, the commission’s acting chair, Bruce Stebbins, has pushed back the timeline for discussing the regulatory timeline, citing a need for more time.
The commission’s staffing shortages have led to increased gridlock and delays, with key decisions requiring unanimous agreement from the remaining three commissioners. The Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition has urged the appointing authorities to fill the empty seats on the commission, citing the need for a full slate of commissioners to move forward with regulatory changes.
The coalition is hoping to see a suite of changes from the commission, including streamlining the process for registering cannabis employees and finalizing social consumption regulations. Ryan Dominguez, the head of the Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition, expressed frustration with the delays, stating that the industry is eager to see progress on social consumption and other regulatory changes.
The commission’s struggles come as lawmakers consider revamping the agency, with a bill advancing in the House that would restructure the commission into a three-member body with all commissioners appointed by the governor. The legislation aims to increase accountability and efficiency within the commission.
The commission’s next meeting is scheduled for June 12, but the agenda has not yet been posted. The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission’s ability to finalize social consumption regulations and move forward with key regulatory changes is crucial for the state’s cannabis industry, and its struggles have significant implications for the industry’s future.
