MassachusettsH 5350194th General Court (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

An Act modernizing the commonwealth’s cannabis laws

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

11 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.

New caps and audits for licenses

One owner can hold at most 6 retailer licenses, 3 fully integrated medical center licenses, 3 manufacturer licenses, and 3 cultivator licenses. The Commission will also cap the total number of licenses statewide and will publish a model host community agreement and best practices for cities and towns. The law creates the fully integrated medical center license for medical cultivation, manufacturing, processing, and sales. The Commission must audit ownership and control limits within 12 months and report within 18 months. ESOP trustees and owners under 20% with no control are exempt from the per‑owner cap counts.

Higher limits for possession and sharing

Adults may possess up to 2 ounces of marijuana. You can give up to 2 ounces to another adult 21+, but you cannot advertise it. Some possession brackets now run from 2 to 3 ounces. The law clarifies what counts as marijuana and excludes hemp, mature stalks, seeds, and seed oil/cake.

Faster access for medical patients

The Commission runs the medical program and issues cards after a real doctor‑patient certification. Temporary patient registrations count as cards, so patients and caregivers can buy sooner. This shortens the wait between certification and getting a permanent card.

Path to employee ownership

The Commission can set rules to let employees buy a licensed cannabis business through an ESOP that follows federal ERISA rules. This creates a clear path for worker ownership and business succession.

Priority and exclusivity for equity owners

A business counts as a social equity business if at least 51% is owned by eligible individuals. The Commission must open applications within 2 months. For 12 months after opening, non‑equity businesses cannot hold more than five retail licenses. For certain medical licenses, social equity businesses get a 24‑month exclusive window; the Commission may extend it or add certified minority, women, or veteran firms if demand exceeds supply.

Credit and late-pay rules start 2028

Credit between licensees is limited to 60 days. After 60 days unpaid, the debtor must notify the Commission within 3 days. The Commission can post delinquent licensees, require prepayment, and fine up to $5,000 per violation. These rules take effect January 1, 2028.

In-store ads and opt‑in emails

The Commission may allow in‑store ads, discount branding, loyalty programs, and marketing emails to customers who opt in. This helps businesses reach customers while keeping marketing targeted.

Studies on use, taxes, hemp, safety

The Commission must study cannabis use and harms and report by January 1, 2028. It must study excise tax effects and report by January 1, 2028, and study market dynamics and report by July 1, 2028. It must study hemp‑derived cannabinoids and report by December 15, 2026. It must review workplace safety by July 1, 2027 and report by July 1, 2028. The Commission must update all regulations to match the law within one year.

Ethics, complaints, and testing standards

The Commission must follow strict ethics rules and ban gifts from licensees. It must run an anonymous complaint portal, and complaint details are not public records. The Commission must review rules and testing every two years, hold a hearing, and post reports in a machine‑readable format. The law also defines host community agreements and sets standards for independent testing labs, including ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation or Commission approval and financial independence.

Commission finance, staff, and contracts

The Commission operates as a state agency for finance and payroll, and the Comptroller can charge it for system costs. All property, contracts, leases, orders, and cases carry over to the new Commission. Employees keep their jobs and civil service and bargaining rights, subject to funding. The law also repeals two older sections in chapter 10 as part of the transition.

New full‑time cannabis commission

The law creates a full‑time, three‑member Cannabis Control Commission appointed by the governor. One commissioner must have a social justice background; all must be residents within 90 days and pass a background check. Commissioners cannot hold political offices, and no more than two may share a party. The chair earns the same salary as the Secretary of Administration and Finance; other commissioners earn 75% of that. Current commissioners’ terms end on the law’s effective date, and the governor must appoint new members within 30 days.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Cannabis Laws
Affiliation unavailable

Cosponsors

Jr. Angelo J. Puppolo
Democratic • House
Chynah Tyler
Democratic • House
Daniel Cahill
Democratic • House
David M. Rogers
Democratic • House
Dawne Shand
Democratic • House
Jacob R. Oliveira
Democratic • Senate
John C. Velis
Democratic • Senate
Manny Cruz
Democratic • House
Mark J. Cusack
Democratic • House
Meghan K. Kilcoyne
Democratic • House
Michael J. Soter
Republican • House
Michael P. Kushmerek
Democratic • House
Samantha Montaño
Democratic • House
Susannah M. Whipps
Independent • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 155 • No: 0

House vote • 4/8/2026

Committee of conference report accepted