Bill to reshape Cannabis Control Commission heads for House vote
It also seeks to further regulate intoxicating hemp-based items, which often exist in a legal gray area with limited oversight; adjusts the existing cap on retail licenses any one operator can hold; and eliminates the requirement that medical marijuana businesses be 'vertically integrated,' meaning they must grow and process all the marijuana they sell.
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The Massachusetts State House.
Suzanne Kreiter/Globe Staff
The Ways and Means Committee advanced the bill with 23 Democrats in support of a favorable report, none opposed, eight Republicans reserving their rights, and five Boston Democrats taking no action on the committee poll.
House Ways and Means Committee Chair Aaron Michlewitz said last week he was 'hopeful to do it soon' and that the House would 'make it a priority to kind of get through it as quickly as we can.' Speaker Ronald Mariano's office confirmed the cannabis bill will be on the agenda for Wednesday's formal session in the House.
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Top Senate Democrats haven't expressed the same sense of urgency on the CCC.
'I will talk to senators and the chair of the Cannabis Committee, and we'll see. We'll take a look at whatever the House sends over, of course,' Senate President Karen Spilka said Thursday.
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