Massachusetts Governor Healey signs law restructures the CCC, changing cannabis laws related to marijuana possession, issuance of cannabis business licenses

BOSTON – According to her office, Governor Maura Healey today signed into law new legislation that restructures the Cannabis Control Commission and changes existing cannabis laws related to marijuana possession and the issuance of cannabis business licenses. 

“The cannabis industry is an important part of Massachusetts economy – supporting jobs and local businesses and generating revenue for cities and towns,” said Governor Healey. “It’s important that we are doing everything we can to make sure this industry is set up for success and that we remain competitive in this fast-growing market. I’m grateful to the Legislature for their leadership on this critical reform bill.” 

“This law marks an important step forward in ensuring that as Massachusetts’ cannabis industry evolves, it does so in a way that broadens opportunity and reflects our shared values,” said Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “It creates meaningful pathways for those historically excluded, updates how consumers safely access legal cannabis, and brings our policies in line with a changing industry. The result is a stronger, more equitable marketplace that prioritizes public health and safety. I’m thankful to Governor Healey for signing this legislation, to Senator Adam Gómez for his leadership, and to my colleagues in the Senate, along with Speaker Ronald Mariano and our partners in the House, for their partnership in getting this across the finish line.” 

“This legislation not only makes needed changes to the structure of the Cannabis Control Commission, it’s also representative of our commitment to ensuring that the cannabis industry in Massachusetts is regulated in a manner that bolsters economic opportunity, especially for communities that were disproportionately impacted by the criminalization of marijuana,” said House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano (D-Quincy). “I want to thank Governor Healey for signing these important reforms into law, as well as Chairman Donahue and my colleagues in the House, along with our partners in the Senate, for working together to get this legislation to the Governor’s desk for her signature.” 

According to Heley’s Office, the new law makes significant structural changes to the Cannabis Control Commission, which will continue to operate as an independent agency. Its membership is reduced from five to three Commissioners who are appointed by the Governor. Commissioners will continue to have experience in public health, public safety, social justice and/or in the regulation or distribution of marijuana. The Governor’s Office has already begun the process of identifying Commissioners. 

The legislation also doubles the number of retail licenses an owner can possess from 3 to 6, increases the legal possession limit for adults, and authorizes new license categories including on-site consumption, event-based use and research licenses. The law will also ease certain restrictions on medical marijuana operators, such as eliminating the requirement that many medical marijuana businesses grow and process the marijuana they sell. It also strengthens accountability and reporting requirements for cannabis businesses that owe debt and requires studies on patterns of cannabis use, the current excise tax rates, and the future regulation of hemp-derived cannabinoid products. 

“With the Governor’s signature today our legislature takes an important step in making the cannabis industry here in Massachusetts more responsive, profitable, and competitive for business owners and consumers,” said Senator Adam Gómez (D-Springfield), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy. “This legislation strengthens oversight of the Cannabis Control Commission, making smart updates that support small businesses, improve accountability, and ensure consumers can access cannabis safely and legally. Through clarifying delivery and advertising rules, increasing transparency on accounts receivable, raising purchasing amounts, and modernizing license caps, we are building a more stable and equitable cannabis marketplace for our state and I am proud of our body for prioritizing reform this session.” 

“I want to thank Speaker Mariano for directing the Cannabis Policy Committee to spend time listening to and understanding the concerns, challenges, and opportunities in the cannabis industry, and I am thrilled that the reforms ultimately recommended by the Legislature have been signed by Governor Healey,” said Representative Dan Donahue, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy. “These reforms signal a renewed commitment from the Commonwealth to ensuring a safe, equitable, and prosperous future for the legalized cannabis industry. I look forward to working with the administration through their implementation.”