The state Legislature has scheduled a public hearing later this month to begin efforts to reform the law governing the embattled Cannabis Control Commission after more than a year of turmoil.
The Bay State's Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy will issue an Oct. 30 review of the law that created both the state's booming marijuana industry and the CCC, which is responsible for day-to-day regulatory operations in Massachusetts. An information hearing is scheduled for Wednesday. The largest cash crop.
“The committee plans to invite various stakeholders in the Massachusetts cannabis industry to testify.Most concerning is the issue of accountability for the agency's operations and the lack of accountability within the agency's structure. is the appropriate route,” the commission said in announcing the hearing.
The fall hearings came after state Auditor General Jeffrey Shapiro called for legislative intervention in the CCC. Mr. Shapiro's decision comes after there were gaps in the commission's leadership and a clear lack of clarity in defining staff responsibilities.
In a letter to lawmakers and public testimony, Shapiro said the government agency responsible for regulating the $7 billion industry has effectively been “rudderless,” with no guidance as to who is in charge of what. said it was necessary.
Mr. Shapiro recommended that a receiver be appointed to begin overseeing operations until Congress could resolve the problems he felt were enshrined in the industry governing law. Shapiro said these laws make it unclear where the commissioner's authority ends and where the CCC executive director's responsibilities begin.
“The Cannabis Commission has indicated many symptoms, self-help remedies have not shown effectiveness, and it is time for a diagnosis and treatment plan to take effect,” the IG said in July.
In a letter sent to legislative leaders, committee members said they wanted to reconsider parts of the state law governing the roles of the CCC executive director and chair, but did not agree with Shapiro's request for a seat. He did not respond to the call. According to these lawmakers, there is “legislative progress to address the roots of concerns regarding the CCC's administrative functions.”
“This policy includes reconsidering some provisions of the CCC Enabling Act. ”, they wrote at the time.
Lawmakers cited Article 76(h) of chapter 10 of the MGL, which provides that the committee chair “shall supervise and control and carry out all affairs of the committee,” and the CCC's executive director. It proposes to amend clause (j) of the same chapter. “He shall be the executive and administrative officer of the Commission and shall be responsible for the administration and enforcement of laws relating to the Commission and its respective administrative units.”
The committee also indicated it plans to consider the definition of “committee” as used in the law, clarifying when lawmakers intend it to mean agency-appointed commissioners and when it refers to CCC staff. I made it clear that
Anyone wishing to testify at the next Cannabis Policy Committee hearing must register in advance. Registration information can be found at https://malegislature.gov/Events.
Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald, File)
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