Massachusetts Approves Cannabis Cafes and Delivery Services

The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission just approved cannabis cafes and delivery services. The vote was 4-1 in favor of both.

Commissioner Jennifer Flanagan opposed the two additions because she thinks it’s “too early to allow social consumption and home delivery,” MassLive reported.

Licenses will be awarded for the first two years for minority business owners and those from disproportionately affected areas of the state. Licenses for home delivery services could start being issued by the end of the year. The commission must create the application first.

At first, the state will only allow a maximum of 12 municipalities to have cannabis cafes. It will be a pilot program. Some legislative issues need to be ironed out before social consumption cafes and lounges can start opening.

Some security details needed for home delivery service:

• Alarmed trucks
• Secure storage spaces
• GPS monitoring
• Cameras
• Deliveries are prohibited from 9 p.m. – 8 a.m.
• No deliveries to college dorms
• Drivers to wear body cameras recording all transactions
• Court orders to be required to review delivery driver body cam footage

Proposed rules for the social consumption lounges include:

• Hours of operation 8 a.m. – 9 p.m. only
• Full disclosure of doses of cannabinoids (THC) in products
• Warnings issued about delayed onset of effects
• Limits on purchases of medicated edibles
• Smoking of cannabis products outdoors only

So far, Amherst, North Adams, Provincetown, Somerville and Springfield are part of the “working group” and will take part in the 2-year social consumption lounge pilot program.