Massachusetts will not be the first state to allow social cannabis use as the Cannabis Control Commission voted 4-1 against the proposals, according to a MassLive.com report. The board also voted against allowing home delivery services. Medical cannabis home delivery is still permitted.
The panel did indicate they would re-start the social-use conversation in October, possibly allowing exclusive licenses, and issue draft rules in February 2019. Those exclusive licenses would be available to individuals with convictions for past drug convictions, the Boston Globe reports.
Jim Borghesani, a spokesman for the legalization campaign, said that the “pressure campaign” against social use conducted by Gov. Charlie Baker and Attorney General Maura Healey “proved difficult to overcome.”
“The larger issue is getting the application process up and running for the July sales start date. Additional delays would be an embarrassment for the state and a gift to black market dealers.” – Borghesani to MassLive
In a statement to the Globe, Baker said he was “pleased” with the decision.
In August, Alaska regulators unveiled a proposal to allow retail cannabis dispensaries to obtain on-site consumption endorsement to their licenses; however, that measure has not become law. Last week, Maine’s cannabis implementation committee voted 10-4 to remove all references from social-use licensing from the regulations for the forthcoming program.
On Monday, regulators in Denver, Colorado approved a social-use license to the Coffee Joint, which will allow patrons 21-and-older to vape of consumer edibles on-site. The establishment is the first-in-the-nation to receive such a license; although Colorado’s state law does not permit social use, Denver voters approved such a measure in 2016.