Massachusetts House lawmakers have unanimously approved a measure that would double the legal possession limit for adults and restructure the regulatory system governing the state’s adult-use cannabis market.
The House passed the measure on Wednesday by a 155-0 vote. If the Senate follows as anticipated this week, the proposal will be sent to Governor Maura Healey (D), who may sign or veto it, allow it to take effect without her signature, or return it with recommended revisions for legislative consideration.
A bicameral conference committee spent several months reconciling provisions after each chamber adopted different versions last year, and finalized a compromise plan on Monday.
“The conference committee report before you lays out a great roadmap for cannabis regulatory structure in the commonwealth into the future,” Rep. Daniel M. Donahue (D), who co-chaired the bicameral panel, said on the House floor ahead of the vote.
The changes to the state’s cannabis regulatory structure will “create better accountability, better transparency and greater efficiencies in overseeing our cannabis industry,” he said. “We also worked on some massive regulatory changes to the industry. I think some of these regulatory changes have been a long time coming, and that’s something that we should be proud of that we’re undertaking to support our businesses.”
According to a Fact Sheet released, the legislation includes the following provisions:
• The existing Commission would be replaced by a new three-member body, all appointed by the governor. The new entity would be led by a full-time chair and an executive director, with the director reporting directly to the chair to improve accountability and responsiveness among staff—an issue frequently raised by industry stakeholders.
• The cap on the number of adult-use retail licenses held by a single owner would increase from three to six. License holders could expand to five retail licenses upon enactment, while non-social equity operators would be permitted to obtain a sixth license within one year.
• The threshold defining ownership based on financial interest would rise from 10 percent to 20 percent.
• A public posting system, modeled after that of the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission, would be introduced. It would prohibit licensees from extending credit beyond 60 days or to entities with outstanding debts to other licensees. The Commission would publicly list delinquent parties, who would be restricted to cash-on-delivery cannabis purchases. This provision would take effect 18 months after enactment.
• The requirement for medical cannabis operators to maintain vertical integration would be removed. However, for two years, non-vertically integrated medical licenses would be limited to certain social equity businesses.
• The legal purchase limit for adult-use consumers would increase from one ounce to two ounces of cannabis flower.
• An anonymous online reporting platform would be established to allow the reporting of unlawful practices, including testing fraud.
If enacted, the law would take effect on January 1, 2028. By that date, current commissioners would be required to vacate their positions, and the governor would have 30 days to appoint their successors.
- The news is soured from Foley Hoag and Axios.
Post time: Apr-09-2026
