Marijuana Licensing in Massachusetts

On December 15, 2016, a century of marijuana prohibition ended in Massachusetts, opening up many new opportunities in the now-legal cannabis industry.

Two Massachusetts lawyers - cannabis reform activists for 40 years, and members of the drafting team for the 2016 legalization initiative - present a comprehensive yet readable guide to the new state cannabis laws for entrepreneurs and municipal authorities. The guide covers state and local regulation of non-medical marijuana, commonly referred to as recreational marijuana, and medical marijuana.

The Guide explains:

When and how the new law will be implemented, and what aspiring applicants for cultivation, manufacturing and retail licenses need to know - and can do now - to boost their chances for a license in 2018; The types of licenses that will be issued, and what it will take to qualify for one; The role of cities and towns in the rollout of commercial, regulated cannabis commerce, and how prospective applicants can help shape the regulations; and, The new laws on industrial hemp. Included in the Guide are the complete text of Chapter 94G of the Massachusetts General Laws (the new non-medical marijuana law), Chapter 94I (the new medical marijuana law), and other pertinent new laws.

The Cannabis Control Commission is required to issue regulations in March, 2018, and to begin accepting applications shortly thereafter. This Guide will help entrants to this new industry prepare to submit their license applications promptly.

With the authors' vast knowledge of cannabis law and culture, and thorough understanding of the new law, this compact but comprehensive volume is a must-read for anyone looking to participate in the newly regulated Massachusetts cannabis economy.

Will Luzier, Political Director, Yes on 4 Coalition

From the perspective of an academic specializing in the new field of Cannabis Law, I commend these uniquely experienced authors for their adept distillation of a complex set of inter-related state laws into an easily understood roadmap to commercial opportunities.

Prof. Jay Wexler, Boston University School of Law