Press Release: 4/20/2026

Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission to Implement An Act Modernizing the Commonwealth’s Cannabis Laws

 

For Immediate Release

April 19, 2026

Contact

Maryalice Curley

Director of Communications

857-292-4891

 

Neal McNamara

Press Secretary

857-507-0885

Press@CCCMass.Com

Among its reforms, the new law immediately allows consumers to purchase up to two ounces of marijuana flower or equivalent product and delivery businesses to potentially serve consumers statewide

WORCESTER—Following the Governor’s signing of a new cannabis law on April 19, the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (Commission) will continue its mission of regulating a safe, effective, and equitable cannabis marketplace as it tackles new legislative mandates.

As the new law, An Act Modernizing the Commonwealth’s Cannabis Laws, takes immediate effect, the Governor is charged with appointing three Commissioners to lead the agency within the next 30 days. Other statutory changes will update how the regulated industry operates by increasing cannabis possession limits, expanding the potential for adult-use delivery service to the entire Commonwealth, lifting retail license caps, and ending the vertical integration requirement for medical marijuana licensees, among other critical reforms.

“During this transition, the organization will remain focused on its primary mission of regulating a safe, equitable cannabis industry for consumers, patients, business leaders, and taxpayers in Massachusetts,” Executive Director Travis Ahern said. “The Commission has capably integrated legislative changes before, such as with the extensive Chapter 180 reforms, and we will do the same now as we enter a new era as an agency while working with the Governor to implement the legislative intent of this bill.”

During the transition between board appointments, the Commission will continue to work on ongoing initiatives including:

• Building internal infrastructure to offer three new Social Consumption Establishment license types, and executing a counterpart public awareness campaign to ensure health and safety;


• Assessing current market conditions as part of a temporary cultivation licensing freeze approved by Commissioners (3-1) to take effect June 16; 


• Launching the agency’s first job fair through the EquityWorks Career Hub on May 20; and


• Working on the first round of cannabis testing protocol reforms as part of a wider standardization effort that includes continuing to operate the agency’s standing, internal Testing Task Force and increasing public insight into Independent Testing Laboratory test results and Certificates of Analysis.

The Commission will also continue day-to-day oversight of the state’s growing cannabis industry, including conducting license application intake and inspections to ensure industry compliance,  reviewing Host Community Agreements, providing licensees with notices to commence operations, administering the Medical Use of Marijuana Program and continuing to register and renew Patients and Caregivers, managing equity programming and technical assistance, conducting research, tracking industry data, and more.

As of April 1, the agency was overseeing nearly 800 active medical and adult-use licenses of all types, ranging from Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers and Marijuana Retailers to Independent Testing Laboratories (ITLs). The Commission collected nearly $20 million in fine and fee revenues for the Commonwealth in fiscal year 2025 alone, on top of $290 million in revenue generated by adult-use cannabis sales and excise taxes. Most of the fee and tax revenue generated by the cannabis industry supports the state Bureau of Addition and Recovery Services (BSAS), municipal police training, the Prevention and Wellness Trust Fund, and appropriations supporting the MBTA and public-school building projects.

Subject to obtaining necessary supplemental funding to incorporate new mandates, the legislation calls on the Commission to undertake several new efforts, such as:

• Updating internal systems, including the state’s seed-to-sale tracking system of record, Metrc, to allow adult consumers’ daily purchase limits to increase from one to two ounces;


• Facilitating adult-use cannabis delivery to cities and towns that do not otherwise have zoning for Marijuana Establishments, following the Commission’s extension of a carve-out for equity delivery businesses last month;


• Authorizing licensees to begin advertising sales and discounts; and


• Accepting new Marijuana Retailer license applications and changes of ownership as the law’s retail cap increases from three to six.

Longer term initiatives include the need for the Commission to rewrite regulations to intake new license applications and transfers—anticipated by the removal of the medical marijuana vertical integration requirement and carve out for Social Equity Businesses, the creation of a “delinquent” licensees list to identify those that have not paid their debts to other businesses for more than 60 days, clarifying how cannabis seeds can be bought and sold, and reviewing current policies around workplace safety and testing.

The Commission’s Research Department will also be tasked with prioritizing new requirements to provide reports on the 10.75% cannabis excise tax, unregulated sales of hemp-infused products, and public health, alongside ongoing research projects.

Additionally, the legislation requires the Commission to create an online portal to accept reports of illegal conduct. Work on a Commission tipline to intake such complaints has been underway and will expand to include an online component.

The Commission is also preparing for the arrival of the three Commissioners who will be appointed by the Governor. Under the new law, one member will be required to have expertise in social justice, while the two other members must have expertise in social justice, public health, public safety, regulation of business, consumer commodities, and/or the production and distribution of marijuana products.

For more information, visit MassCannabisControl.com, contact the Commission by phone (774-415-0200) or email (Commission@CCCMass.com), or follow the agency on Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.