Massachusetts aims to release recreational cannabis draft rules in December

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A Massachusetts commission is planning to make significant headway next month in crafting regulations for the state’s upcoming recreational marijuana industry, with draft rules expected before the end of the year.

The Cannabis Control Commission will hold public meetings on the draft regulations the week of Dec. 11, State House News Service reported, along with private stakeholder meetings and another public meeting the following week.

The commission is hoping to finalize the adult-use rules by March 9, since by law the regulations must be finished by March 15.

The commission has already begun work on the regulations, but there’s still a lot of ground to be covered.

Topics the commission still must address in its rulemaking include:

  • Forms for MJ business license applications
  • Licensing fees
  • Qualifications for licensure
  • Recordkeeping requirements
  • Inventory tracking mandates
  • Security and insurance standards
  • Health and safety standards
  • Agricultural standards
  • Social consumption
  • Rules relating to edibles, such as prohibiting packaging that’s appealing to children
  • Rules regarding disposal of excess cannabis
  • Shipping methods for retailers located in towns not connected to the mainland by road