The Massachusetts Hashish Management Fee (CCC) on Thursday ultimately permitted laws for social consumption licenses.
Years within the making, the vote opens the door for hashish cafes, tasting rooms and different marijuana-friendly hospitality and makes Massachusetts the twelfth state to allow some type of on-site hashish consumption.
The brand new guidelines are anticipated to be despatched to the secretary of state by Dec. 19 and turn into official in early January, in line with the Boston Globe.
Nevertheless, it’s not but clear when marijuana shops and different license holders might apply for consumption permits or when lounges might open for enterprise.
And like with hashish shops, municipalities have the power to choose out.
Three marijuana social consumption lounges obtainable in Massachusetts
The CCC’s unanimous vote adopted prolonged discussions and delays, together with Shannon O’Brien’s reinstatement as chair in September.
As soon as purposes open, three licenses might be obtainable:
- Add-on tasting rooms: Licensed hashish retailers can apply so as to add consumption to their present services.
- Hospitality partnerships: non-cannabis companies reminiscent of eating places, theaters, yoga studios and inns can associate with licensed marijuana institutions to host consumption occasions or areas.
- Short-term: Brief-term occasions the place hashish consumption is permitted.
Nevertheless, there are limits.
Laws explicitly ban the sale of alcohol, tobacco merchandise and ready cannabis-infused meals.
Cities can choose out of authorized hashish consumption lounges
Just like the preliminary rollout of adult-use marijuana shops, municipalities should choose in to permit social consumption.
Cities and cities should additionally legalize consumption through voter petition, new legal guidelines or up to date zoning laws earlier than any licenses will be issued.
Whereas some cities have already begun soliciting public suggestions on potential zoning for consumption areas, many others haven’t began the method.
Consequently, the CCC has not offered a definitive timeline for when the primary lounge may open its doorways.
Subscribe to the MJBiz Factbook
Unique business information and evaluation that will help you make knowledgeable enterprise choices and keep away from pricey missteps. All of the details, not one of the hype.
What you’re going to get:
- Month-to-month and quarterly updates, with new information & insights
- Monetary forecasts + capital funding traits
- State-by-state information to laws, taxes & market alternatives
- Annual survey of hashish companies
- Client insights
- And extra!
Are marijuana social consumption lounges worthwhile?
Regardless of the milestone, business observers are skeptical whether or not hashish lounges can considerably have an effect on the state’s $1.6 billion annual hashish market.
Knowledge from different mature markets with social consumption legal guidelines reminiscent of Nevada and California suggests consumption lounges are unlikely to be a serious income driver.
