Massachusetts approves use of cameras for cannabis deliveries

The Cannabis Control Commission in Massachusetts has approved new regulations for the state’s adult and medical use of marijuana programs that introduce new license types, unify and strengthen the license application, enforcement and administrative processes, enhance public health and safety, and increase access to the legal industry for patients and consumers.

Among the regulations approved is a rule allowing the use of vehicle cameras for all deliveries and body cameras for adult-use deliveries. To maximize the safety and security of delivery drivers, consumers and patients, regulations for both the proposed adult-use delivery program and the existing medical use of marijuana program have been developed consistent with retail operation safety protocols.

Video of adult-use cannabis deliveries will be retained for a minimum of 30 days or the duration of an investigation by the commission or law enforcement and may not be shared with any third party not explicitly authorized by the regulations without a court order or warrant.

Adult-use delivery businesses will be required to obtain marijuana and marijuana products from other licensed Retailers, unless the license holder is a Microbusiness with a Delivery Endorsement that grows or manufacturers its own marijuana and marijuana products.

Delivery for adult-use cannabis consumers will be permitted in municipalities in which retail sales are permitted, delivery businesses are located, and those that notify the commission that delivery may operate within its borders. Service will be prohibited from dormitories and other university housing, commercial hospitality operations including hotels and bed-and-breakfasts, and federally subsidized housing.

To ensure marijuana products are distributed to consumers of legal age and correct identity, adult consumers who choose to utilize delivery services will first need to pre-verify their age and identity through the marijuana retailer from which they intend to order products, either in person or online. Medical-use deliveries will be prohibited from dormitories and other university housing and federally subsidized housing, but patients will not be required to pre-verify through a Medical Marijuana Treatment Center.

Additional policy changes include:

Fees

• License and application fees will increase under the new regulations for large cultivators (20,001-100,000 square feet of canopy), as well as for retailers, product manufacturers, independent testing laboratories, and transporters with an existing license.
• To maintain low barriers to entry for small Cultivators (up to 20,000 square feet of canopy), Microbusinesses, Third-Party Transporters, and Research Facilities, annual license fees will not increase under the new regulations.
• As part of the Commission’s ongoing support of farmers and environmentally conscious operations, reduced fees will remain for smaller outdoor Cultivators.

Public Health and Safety

To safeguard Marijuana Establishment cash handling, the Commission will require the use of armored transport that is registered with state police or alternatives that satisfy specific security requirements, including:

• Real-time GPS;
• Two-way communication between Marijuana Establishments and Transporters;
• Prohibition of the simultaneous transportation of cash and marijuana or marijuana products in the vehicle together; and
• Approval from the financial institutions where cash deposits will occur.

See additional regulations approved at mass-cannabis-control.com. For more information, contact the Cannabis Control Commission at 617-701-8400 or email the commission at CannabisCommission@mass.gov.