Massachusetts Unveils Plan for Cannabis Consumption Sites Including Cafes, Theaters, and Yoga Studios

Officials with the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission last week revealed regulators’ plans regarding new industry licenses for establishments looking to allow the “social consumption” of cannabis. Massachusetts voters approved the licensing of social-use cannabis businesses when they passed the state’s cannabis legalization law in 2016 but last week’s presentation was the biggest development yet in that part of the law’s implementation.

The upcoming license types will cover three types of businesses, according to a presentation unveiled Thursday.

• Supplemental: For preexisting businesses like dispensaries, these licenses would supplement a company’s existing business model with on-site consumption possibilities including tasting rooms, social events, and even cafes. These licenses would allow for the consumption of cannabis products purchased on-site.
• Hospitality: Meant for “non-cannabis commercial business spaces,” these licenses will allow unrelated businesses to branch into the cannabis industry with a wide variety of business models including yoga studios, movie theaters, and other creative possibilities, regulators said. These licenses would allow for both BYO cannabis and products purchased on-site.
• Event Organizer: These licenses will cover temporary social consumption sites for specific events like concerts or festivals, which last no longer than five days. The licenses will allow for both BYO and on-site cannabis purchases.

Final regulations covering the new license types are expected on December 17.