CCC approves social consumption regulations

The Cannabis Control Commission on Dec. 11 unanimously approved regulations allowing on-site consumption of cannabis products in Massachusetts, with the new rules taking effect on Jan. 2.

Municipalities will need to “opt-in” to the social consumption regulations, via local bylaw changes, referendum or local ordinance, in order for a local business to offer on-site consumption.

The regulations create three different on-site, adult-use consumption license types:
• Supplemental, for existing marijuana establishments, including cultivation sites
• Hospitality, for new or existing non-cannabis businesses
• Event organizer, for temporary consumption events

All social consumption establishments will be required to enter into new host community agreements with the host city or town, even if the licensee is already operating an existing business with an HCA. Event organizer licensees will need only one host community agreement in their principal place of business.

The regulations prohibit the intersection of alcohol and tobacco within licensed spaces, and municipalities can add some additional restrictions, such as prohibiting the smoking of cannabis products within their borders.

The CCC released a preliminary draft of the regulations last January, and initiated the formal public comment period in August. The MMA collaborated with the Massachusetts Municipal Lawyers Association to submit comments in late January as well as early September.

The final social consumption regulations can be found on the CCC website.