Bill > S2801

This bill aims to promote equity in the cannabis industry in Massachusetts. The key provisions are: 1. Establishes a 1% tax on sales from marijuana retailers that are "social equity businesses" (with at least 51% minority ownership), with the proceeds distributed to cities/towns with such businesses. 2. Defines a "host community agreement" as the agreement between a marijuana establishment and a municipality. 3. Defines a "social equity business" as a marijuana establishment with at least 51% minority ownership. 4. Allows municipalities to authorize on-premises consumption of marijuana through a local ballot initiative or local ordinance. 5. Regulates host community agreements, including limiting community impact fees to 3% of gross sales and requiring documentation of actual costs imposed on the municipality. 6. Requires the Cannabis Control Commission to establish policies and procedures to promote participation in the industry by communities disproportionately harmed by marijuana prohibition. 7. Creates a Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund to provide grants and loans to social equity program participants and economic empowerment applicants.

Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy (J), Senate Committee on Ways and Means (S)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/S2801