Page 12 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, June 13, 2025 Beacon Hill Roll Call By Bob Katzen HE HOUSE AND SENATE: Beacon Hill Roll Call records local representatives' votes on roll calls from the week of June 2-6. There were no roll calls in the Senate last week. REGULATE CANNABIS (H 4187) House 153-0, approved and sent to the Senate a bill that makes several changes to the state’s cannabis laws that supporters say would allow the cannabis industry to continue growing responsibly. The bill makes changes to the structure of the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), increases the number of retail licenses that an entity may have, lowers the barrier to entry for medical marijuana retail, increases purchase limits for consumers and patients and addresses the selling of hemp products. The bill creates an oversight structure for the importation, manufacture and sale of two forms of consumable federally legal hemp products: hemp beverages and consumable CBD products. Under the bill, both products may only be sold if registered with the CCC. The bill instructs the CCC to develop regulations for hemp product registration that aligns with regulations for marijuana products, Law Offices of JOSEPH D. CATALDO, P.C. “ATTORNEYS AND COUNSELORS AT LAW” • ESTATE/MEDICAID PLANNING • WILLS/TRUSTS/ESTATES • INCOME TAX PREPARATION • WEALTH MANAGEMENT • RETIREMENT PLANNING • ELDER LAW 369 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 (617)381-9600 JOSEPH D. CATALDO, CPA, CFP, MST, ESQUIRE. AICPA Personal Financial Specialist Designee including a prohibition on any product containing synthetic cannabinoids. The products may only be manufactured from concentrate that complies with federal potency limits on hemp. Other provisions include increasing the purchase and possession limit from one to two ounces of marijuana; increasing from two ounces to three ounces the possession limit that would result in a civil penalty or drug awareness programming for those under 21; restructuring the CCC by making the governor the sole appointing authority – replacing current law which gives that authority to the trio of the governor, treasurer and attorney general; and requiring the chair of the CCC to serve coterminously with the governor. The bill also incrementally raises from three to six the limit on the number of retail licenses any individual or entity may hold and requires that priority consideration for licenses be given to social equity businesses, minority businesses, woman businesses and veteran businesses. “This legislation not only makes needed changes to the structure of the Cannabis CCC, it’s also representative of the House’s commitment to ensuring that the cannabis industry in Massachusetts is regulated in a manner that bolsters economic opportunity, especially for communities that were disproportionately impacted by the criminalization of marijuana,” said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy). “[The bill] calls for restructuring the composition and appointing authority of the CCC, which has been seen for some time now as dysfunctional and, in the words of the Inspector General, ‘rudderless’ when it comes to who is responsible for overseeing its day-to-day operations,” said House Minority Leader Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “The bill contains additional reforms by establishing standards for licensing, compliance and testing of intoxicating hemp-derived beverages and other consumable CBD products which can cause impairment but are widely available at many of the state’s convenience stores and gas stations. I supported this bill because it will protect consumers and support businesses by strengthening the cannabis industry’s regulatory framework.” (A “Yes” vote is for the bill.) Rep. Paul Donato Yes Rep. Steven Ultrino Yes OUT-OF-STATE TESTING LABORATORIES (H 4187 House 154-0, approved an amendment to a section of the cannabis bill which requires outof-state testing laboratories used by Massachusetts to meet certain standards, including being licensed in its home state to test hemp and cannabis. The amendment would add an additional provision that the testing laboratory must also be certified and in good standing with the Massachusetts CCC. “The underlying bill … sets a definition for what constitutes a qualified out-of-state testing laboratory to make sure it meets certain standards, including being licensed in its home state to test hemp and cannabis,” said Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading). “This amendment adds a further provision that the testing laboratory also be certified and in good standing with the CCC to ensure that Massachusetts’ testing standards are not compromised and consumers are fully protected.” Rep. Mike Day (D-Stoneham), the sponsor of the amendment, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him to comment on passage of his amendment. (A “Yes” vote is for the amendment.) Rep. Paul Donato Yes Rep. Steven Ultrino Yes ALSO UP ON BEACON HILL “DONUT SPARE TIRES (H 3694) – The Transportation Committee held a hearing on legislation that would prohibit vehicles operating on a “donut” spare tire from driving in the high-speed lane nearest to the left side of the road. A "donut" spare is a tire that is smaller than a conventional tire and takes up less room in the trunk of the car. Supporters said that donuts are designed to only drive up to 50 miles at speeds of up to 50 mph. “Driving at speeds higher than this with a donut spare, which the high-speed lanes normally run at, not only puts the driver at risk, but surrounding cars as well,” said sponsor Rep. Steve Howitt (R-Seekonk). ELECTRIC AND GAS RATES (S 2238) - The Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and
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