Massachusetts cannabis commission asking for $7.5 million budget

The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission expects to eventually pay for the state’s MMJ program through licensing and taxes, but it needs $7.5 million from the state to help fund the current fiscal year.

The state granted the oversight body $2.3 million earlier this year, and the additional $5.2 million would be used to pay for staff, operations and technology, MassLive.com reported.

Here’s what you need to know:

• Total operating costs for the commission are budgeted at $3.5 million.
• Salaries for five commissioners account for $534,100.
• The commission has budgeted $470,800 to pay senior agency staff.
• Office space and license application processing and enforcement are expected to cost at least $600,000 each.
• The commission’s budget also includes $750,000 for a seed-to-sale system, $700,000 to track licenses and $2.5 million for a revenue tracking and collection system.