Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission Struggles with Staffing Shortages Amid Regulatory Delays
The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission is facing a significant staffing shortage, with two vacant seats and no clear timeline for new appointments. The commission, responsible for regulating the state’s cannabis industry, has been operating with only three members since May, when Commissioner Nurys Camargo resigned. The commission’s chair, Shannon O’Brien, was suspended in September 2023 and later fired in September 2024, further exacerbating the staffing crisis.
The commission is currently working to finalize regulations for social consumption, which would allow for the use of cannabis products in public places. However, the regulatory process has been slow and plagued by internal disagreements and deadlocked votes. The commission’s acting chair, Bruce Stebbins, has pushed back the timeline for addressing social consumption regulations, citing the need for more time to work on the issue.
The staffing shortage has raised concerns about the commission’s ability to effectively regulate the cannabis industry. The Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition, a trade group representing the state’s cannabis industry, has urged the appointing authorities to fill the vacant seats as soon as possible. The coalition is also advocating for changes to the commission’s structure, including the appointment of a full slate of commissioners and the creation of a quorum requirement.
The commission’s struggles come as lawmakers consider a bill to revamp the commission’s structure and increase its accountability. The bill, which has passed the House, would restructure the commission into a three-member body with all commissioners appointed by the governor. The legislation would also raise the cap on the number of retail licenses a single company can own and increase purchasing and possession limits for cannabis.
The commission’s regulatory delays have been a source of frustration for the cannabis industry, which is eager to see the implementation of social consumption regulations and other key changes. The Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition is urging the appointing authorities to fill the vacant seats and move forward with the regulatory process, rather than waiting for the Legislature to pass the bill.
