Marijuana industry trade group to launch in Massachusetts

When it launches this month, the Massachusetts Cannabis Business Association aims to focus on issues that marijuana industry stakeholders can unite around, rather than issues that divide them.

The trade group, scheduled to launch May 15, was conceived by Boston law firm Smith, Costello and Crawford, according to The Boston Globe.

The Massachusetts Cannabis Business Association (MCBA) expects to include licensed plant-touching companies such as growers, product manufacturers and retailers as well as ancillary businesses like law firms, web designers and landlords, the newspaper reported.

One key issue that falls within the group’s stated mission is lobbying towns and cities in the state that are wary of permitting grows and MJ retail outlets.

While 54% of Massachusetts voters approved recreational marijuana legalization in November 2016, more than half the state’s 351 towns and cities have banned or issued moratoriums on cannabis businesses.

According to the Globe, MCBA organizers also plan to:

• Persuade more ancillary companies to serve the cannabis space.
• Create a directory of marijuana-friendly service providers that serve the MJ sector and won’t price gouge.
• Hold job fairs.
• Connect investors with marijuana businesses.
• Educate consumers about cannabis products.