Sweeping cannabis bill becomes law, after yearslong effort on reforms

Vetoes study on medical marijuana in schools

Governor Charlie Baker on Thursday signed into law a package of significant reforms to the state’s multibillion-dollar marijuana industry, capping a yearslong campaign by advocates, entrepreneurs, and regulators to rewrite the rules of cannabis commerce in Massachusetts.

While officials said key aspects of the bill could take a year or longer to implement, the measure will eventually crack down on unjustified municipal fees charged to marijuana operations, deposit a chunk of recreational pot tax revenues into a loan fund for disenfranchised entrepreneurs, and clear the way for a cannabis café pilot program.

Other provisions would make it slightly easier for former defendants to clear away old marijuana-related criminal charges, while also requiring cities and towns to consider equity when awarding local licenses to pot businesses, as the Cannabis Control Commission must when awarding state licenses.

Baker, in a signing statement, said he supported those changes, but explained that he vetoed another section of the bill calling for a study on pediatric medical marijuana patients consuming the drug at school.

“I support many of the provisions this bill adopts to improve regulation of the cannabis industry, and I support the bill’s efforts to expand opportunities for social equity businesses,” Baker wrote. “I have serious concerns, however, about [the study]. ” [Read More @ The Boston Globe]