Bill > S54

This bill introduces comprehensive regulations for the sale and distribution of hemp products in Massachusetts, aimed at protecting public health. The legislation establishes a 10.75% fee on hemp product sales to anyone other than marijuana establishments, with the revenue deposited into a new Hemp Product Education Fund. The bill defines "hemp products" and creates strict rules about how these products can be marketed and sold, particularly focusing on non-ingestible hemp products. Retailers are prohibited from selling hemp products that are advertised as causing intoxication, packaged to resemble children's products, or marketed in ways that suggest they can alter mental states. Local boards of health are granted enforcement powers, with a graduated approach to violations that initially involves warnings and potential informational courses, and escalates to potential license revocation and product destruction for repeated infractions. The legislation also updates definitions related to hemp and marijuana in several state legal chapters, ensuring consistency across different statutes. Importantly, the bill requires local health boards to communicate the new regulations to potentially impacted businesses within 90 days of the law's effective date, with the goal of ensuring widespread understanding and compliance with the new hemp product regulations.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S54