Massachusetts
Lawmakers will hear testimony on proposed changes to state cannabis laws
State lawmakers have scheduled a hearing later this month to kick start an effort to update the laws directing the embattled Cannabis Control Commission after more than a year of turbulence. The Bay State’s Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy has scheduled an informational hearing for Wednesday, October 30, over “reconsideration” of the law which created […]
Ousted Shannon O’Brien vows legal battle over pot board firing
Shannon O’Brien plans to appeal her firing as the chairwoman of the Cannabis Control Commission directly to the Supreme Judicial Court, her lawyer said Tuesday, and one of her former CCC colleagues will take over as acting chair in the meantime. Treasurer Deborah Goldberg fired O’Brien on Monday, citing unspecified “gross misconduct.” On Tuesday, she […]
Goldberg fires O’Brien from top pot job
Treasurer Deborah Goldberg fired Cannabis Control Commission Chair Shannon O’Brien on Monday, her office confirmed, a removal that seems likely to kick the yearlong drama back into the courts. In a statement, Goldberg said she decided to fire O’Brien are carefully considering more than 20 hours of meetings held earlier this year as well as […]
3 Massachusetts men indicted for armed robbery of cash courier transporting $430,000 for marijuana companies
Related Articles Three Bay State men have been federally indicted for the alleged armed robbery of a cash courier who was transporting more than $430,000 for marijuana companies. The men — Steven Madison, 38, of Bridgewater; Christopher White, 37, of Raynham; and Quentin McDonald, 25, of Brockton — are accused of robbing the courier at […]
Who are you calling rudderless? Massachusetts cannabis regulator defends work on $7B industry
Related Articles The agency regulating the marijuana industry is not “rudderless,” according to its acting chairwoman, and continues to work despite assertions that it needs a receiver in order to function. “If you paid attention, we’re working. It’s always all hands on deck. We’re continuing to push policies,” Cannabis Control Commission Acting Chair Ava Callender […]
Inspector General: ‘Urgent need’ for receiver to run Cannabis Control Commission
Related Articles The Cannabis Control Commission is broken by the law that established it and needs to be placed under the authority of a receiver by the end of July, the Bay State’s Inspector General told legislative leaders in a letter. Pointing to numerous problems surrounding the ousted commission chair and challenges with the laws […]
Ex-Massachusetts official accused of defrauding investors in his marijuana company
Related Articles A former Bay State elected official has been busted by the feds for allegedly defrauding investors in his marijuana company. Bruce Spinney III, who was previously a chair of the Grafton Select Board, was arrested on Friday by FBI Boston special agents. The 49-year-old man was indicted on three counts of wire fraud […]
Martha’s Vineyard has a pot problem: There isn’t enough, as Massachusetts officials meet concerned residents
Related Articles By the time this summer ends, tourists, day trippers, and residents living on the island of Martha’s Vineyard may lose access to legal marijuana. The Bay State’s Cannabis Control Commission, on Thursday, joined the concerned residents of the island during a meeting held in Oak Bluffs — where they discussed the impending closure […]
Ahead of 4/20, Massachusetts cannabis officials remind people making edibles ‘to be careful’
Related Articles If you’re looking to make some pot brownies at home to celebrate 4/20 this weekend, state cannabis officials want you “to be careful.” Ahead of the high holiday on Saturday, the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission sent out a reminder to those making edibles. “If you are planning to make edibles at home in […]
Marijuana rescheduling leaves regulators and sellers cautiously optimistic
Related Articles A move by the Biden Administration to change how marijuana is treated by federal authorities was met with cautious approval by Massachusetts state regulators, cannabis sellers, and national marijuana advocates alike. The Drug Enforcement Agency will drop marijuana from the list of banned substances found under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, […]