Massachusetts Social Use Rules Delayed as Commission Chair Reinstated

The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission said last week it postponed
plans to craft cannabis lounge regulations due to the reinstatement of
Chairwoman Shannon O’Brien, the Boston Herald reports.

The draft rules were first approved in July, and regulators were set to
finalize the regulations by Halloween.

“To support the transition of leadership and ensure all Commissioners are
prepared for the final regulatory review of Social Consumption
Establishments, agent registration reform, and related policies, the
Commission intends to postpone relevant public meetings originally planned
for the end of September to Oct. 23 and 24.” — Statement from the commission

O’Brien has been gone from the commission since being suspended two years
ago, and later fired by State Treasurer Deb Goldberg, who alleged that
O’Brien made “racially, ethnically and culturally insensitive statements.”
However, a Superior Court judge ruled this month that O’Brien had been
wrongly terminated and should be reinstated to complete the last two years
of her five-year term. The judge also ruled she should receive back pay and
benefits from the date of her removal.

Massachusetts’ 2016 adult-use legalization ballot initiative included
language for public cannabis consumption at licensed locations. Regulators,
however, decided to prioritize the industry’s retail regulations before
considering social use provisions.