The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (Commission) testified before the Joint Ways and Means Committee last week seeking an expanded budget in the new fiscal year to launch safety and equity initiatives as the state’s regulated adult- and medical-use cannabis industry continues to grow.
The Commission, represented by members of its leadership team including Acting Chair Bruce Stebbins, Commissioner and Treasurer Kimberly Roy, Executive Director Travis Ahern, and Chief Financial and Accounting Officer Lisa Schlegel, spoke to the agency’s $30.08 million FY 2026 request and how it would support urgent needs regarding additional product testing, training for Social Equity Program (SEP) entrepreneurs, Social Consumption public education campaign materials, and new licensing and enforcement technology platforms, among other top priorities.
Since FY 2022, the number of cannabis businesses that have received the agency’s approval to commence operations has grown from just over 500 to more than 800, posing increasing challenges with a limited number of public safety investigators. If fully appropriated, the FY 2026 request would be the first significant budget increase for the Commission during a period of growth in the industry, with a majority of funding going toward initiatives put off after budget cuts in previous fiscal years. The Commission expects additional licensees to enter the market, with three Social Consumption license types launching this year.
New issues have also emerged over the past three years that demand more attention, including questions about the testing of cannabis products in Massachusetts, worker safety, diversity in the industry, and the Commission’s new role overseeing Host-Community Agreements (HCAs).
During the budget hearing, lawmakers engaged in a substantial back-and-forth with Commissioners and staff about issues related to the budget request, including market saturation, public safety, and costs affecting the cannabis businesses.
The Commission identified several key efforts that it hopes to fund through the agency’s FY 2026 budget request:
- Increased testing and analytics, including expansion of “secret shopper” program
- A standards laboratory to test products independent of private labs
- Updated licensing platform that will help provide better data on the industry for the public and stakeholders
- Updated Medical Marijuana Platform for patients, caregivers, and Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers
- 21 new positions to support public health, safety, and equity
- Public awareness campaign materials for new Social Consumption license types coming in 2025
- Increased Social Equity Participant (SEP) initiatives including Resource Center & Hub, e-learning modules, racial disparity/exclusivity study, public education
- Reinstatement of $2.85 million deferred costs from FY 2025 and FY 2024
