The conflict-ridden Cannabis Control Commission could look a lot different before it convenes its next meeting.
On Thursday, lawmakers sent a conference committee agreement (H 5350) to Gov. Maura Healey’s desk. It cleared the Senate 33-6, with Sens. Kelly Dooner, Ryan Fattman, John Keenan, Mark Montigny, Patrick O’Connor and Bruce Tarr voting against the legislation that passed the House 155-0.
Legislative negotiators attached an emergency preamble to the bill, which enables it to take effect the day it is signed. Healey has 10 days to sign the bill, veto it or send it back with requested amendments.
The compromise calls for dissolving and downsizing the current CCC, which has been riddled with infighting, from five members to three. It also grants all appointing power to the governor, cutting the attorney general and treasurer out of the process. The governor would have 30 days to make new appointments.
“Why would we want to continue with the dysfunctional situation over one of the larger industries in Massachusetts, so we wanted to fix it,” House Speaker Ron Mariano, who has been a vocal critic of the CCC, told reporters ahead of a House session Wednesday. “Why would we? Why would we wait?”
Conference committee co-chair Rep. Dan Donahue of Worcester said the legislation marks the second time the House has revisited cannabis laws since recreational marijuana was legalized through a 2016 voter law.
“We want to make sure that we’re getting this turned around and we’re getting an industry regulator that’s in place, that’s ready to get a start from day one and make sure that we’re signaling to the industry that we’re here to help turn this around,” Donahue told reporters Wednesday.
During Wednesday’s session, Donahue said the new CCC structure would “create better accountability, better transparency and greater efficiencies in the regulatory and overseeing our cannabis industry.”
The bill also makes it clear that the CCC chair is responsible for personnel and administrative matters and the executive director reports directly to the chair.
Sen. Adam Gomez of Springfield, conference committee co-chair, asserted that this leadership structure allows for enforcement functions to be “insulated from political pressure or conflict.”
“This is a balanced structure that protects both accountability and integrity, ensuring the commission is able to operate more effectively and restore industry confidence,” Gomez said during Thursday’s Senate session.
CCC Chairwoman Shannon O’Brien was exiled from the commission for two years after Treasurer Deborah Goldberg suspended and then fired her partly because of clashes she had with the former executive director. Since returning to the commission last year after a judge ruled she was improperly fired, O’Brien has had fresh battles with Executive Director Travis Ahern, who was hired during O’Brien’s absence.
After Goldberg fired O’Brien in 2024, Healey said, “I respect the decision made by the treasurer. I hope we can all move on from this.” She added at the time: “As I’ve said in the past, I will do whatever I can as governor and working with my administration to support the ongoing work of the Cannabis Commission. It’s an important industry for our state.”
The CCC includes O’Brien and commissioners Bruce Stebbins, Kimberly Roy and Carrie Benedon. The agency has a public meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 16.
“Regardless of what happens with this new piece of legislation, I am committed to continuing my efforts to make needed changes to the cannabis industry to protect public health and safety and to help struggling cannabis businesses who are following the law become profitable,” O’Brien said in a statement Monday. “Over the next several weeks we will be shining a bright light on testing fraud in the cannabis industry and making data more transparent which could uncover inversion and possible criminal activity.”
On Wednesday, O’Brien said she was proud of the commission’s work on consumer safeguards and industry modernization, “including cutting red tape, strengthening avenues for more cannabis research, and increasing transparency about the widespread problem of testing fraud.” She said stakeholders have responded positively to recent changes and that she looks “forward to see how the law will improve the work of the Commission.”
At Tuesday’s CCC meeting, Benedon, who was selected to join the commission in November, acknowledged the uncertainty the legislation brings for fellow commissioners.
“Change can be scary and it can be a lot of work, but it also is an opportunity,” she said. “It’s an opportunity to reset, to think differently, to lead differently, to clarify priorities, to find efficiencies and to serve the public in new and better ways. I can say with certainty that in my time on the commission, I’m really proud of what our team has accomplished.”
Benedon said she’s excited for the next chapter “regardless of whether I’m part of it or who else is part of it.”
Roy said she shared similar sentiments to Benedon and acknowledged the legislation includes measures she thinks the industry is excited to see like increasing the purchase limit on flower from one to two ounces, more advertising freedom and a public anonymous reporting portal within the CCC.
Katie Castellani is a reporter for State House News Service and State Affairs Pro reach her at kcastellani@statehousenews.com.
