Massachusetts Subcommittee Votes to Allow Cannabis Cafes

Massachusetts’ Cannabis Advisory Board’s public safety subcommittee voted to recommend that social consumption lounges should be legalized in the state, according to an NBC Boston report.

The board also voted to allow home delivery of cannabis products unanimously. Social consumption spaces were recommended in a 5-2 vote.

Walpole Police Chief John Carmichael, one of the two dissenters, argued against cannabis cafes on the grounds that they could lead to more intoxicated drivers on the roads. Police representatives in the subcommittee also said they expected cannabis cafes would be targets for robberies.

The recommendation has been sent to the state’s Cannabis Control Commission for final consideration. The Cannabis Control Commission is a five-member panel that oversees all of Massachusetts’ cannabis regulations.

Maryalice Grill, press secretary for the Commission, released a statement that said the Commission will need to reopen and amend current regulations in order to make the changes to allow cannabis lounges and delivery.

Massachusetts almost legalized cannabis cafes and home delivery when the state initially legalized in 2017. However, after reservations were expressed by the Governor, the previous regulations were scrapped. Now, hopefully, they will be re-introduced.

Alaska became the first state to establish rules for social use cannabis lounges in December 2018; otherwise, cannabis cafes have so far been allowed strictly on a city-by-city basis.