Taunton cannabis company first approved to start home delivery as delivery operator licenses available

WORCESTER— The Cannabis Control Commission announced Friday that companies can now purchase, warehouse and then sell and deliver cannabis products. The availability of the Marijuana Delivery Operator license is a major development in the legal industry in addition to the efforts to combat unregulated cannabis delivery happening throughout the Commonwealth.

“I applaud the Commissioners, staff, and members of the public who envisioned this license type and worked hard to streamline the application and make it as accessible as possible,” said Commission Executive Director Shawn Collins. “Our delivery policies and procedures will only bolster Massachusetts’ reputation as a role model for states looking to incorporate equity into cannabis legalization and ensure public safety.”

In addition, Taunton-based cannabis business Freshly Baked was granted Friday by the CCC the ability to begin adult-use delivery as soon as June 1st.

According to the CCC, Freshly Baked Company is a Social Equity Program Participant and Veteran-Owned Microbusiness with a Delivery Endorsement and is the first licensee to receive authorization to start conducting delivery service in the Commonwealth.

Co-owner Phillip Smith, who shares ownership with wife Jenny Roseman is excited about the opportunity.

“Freshly Baked is humbled by all the support we’ve received from our customers, partners, family, friends and the Cannabis Control Commission. We’re excited to start the first recreational home deliveries on the east coast.”

As it launches the Marijuana Delivery Operator application in MassCIP, the Commission is also assisting applicants by publishing a Delivery Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document that helps applicants and the public navigate the submission and review process. Massachusetts residents can locate the FAQ by visiting MassCannabisControl.com and following the “Applicants and Licensee” constituent pathway to “Adult-Use Licensees/Frequently Asked Questions” or looking under “Public Documents.”

After opening up pre-certification and license applications for the Marijuana Courier (formerly known as Delivery-Only) businesses last May, the Commission approved the creation of Marijuana Delivery Operator licenses during its 2020 regulatory review process. Qualifying Microbusinesses also can offer delivery service upon receiving a Delivery Endorsement from the Commission.

For a minimum of three years, the Commission’s delivery license types are exclusively available to businesses controlled by, and with majority ownership comprised of, Certified Economic Empowerment Priority Applicants or Social Equity Program Participants. Under the Commission’s regulations, the exclusivity period begins the date the first Marijuana Delivery Operator receives a notice to commence operations.

Marijuana Delivery Operator licenses, which were created in direct response to a robust public hearing and public comment process in 2020, enable businesses to wholesale finished marijuana products from Marijuana Cultivators and Marijuana Product Manufacturers and sell those products directly to consumers, among other functions. Along with the Commission’s typical testing, packaging, and labeling safeguards, licensees will be required to comply with stringent public safety regulations to warehouse inventory, as well as other protections such as a minimum of two Marijuana Establishment Agents in any vehicle that undertakes delivery service, and the use of body cameras when carrying out the delivery, with certain privacy restrictions and notifications.

Currently, more than 500 applicants are eligible for the Commission’s delivery licenses, between 122 Certified Economic Empowerments Applicants and nearly 400 Social Equity Program Participants from cohorts one and two. Already the Commission has approved one final license and seven provisional licenses for Marijuana Couriers and pre-certified 62 applicants for that license type.