Page 24 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JUNE 13, 2025 By Bob Katzen If you have any questions about this week’s report, e-mail us at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com or call us at (617) 720-1562 4187) REGULATE CANNABIS (H 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, 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. Jessica Giannino Yes Rep. Jeff Turco Yes OUT-OF-STATE TESTING LABORATORIES (H 4187 House 154-0, approved an amendment to a section of the cannabis bill which requires out-of-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 certifi ed and in good standing with the Massachusetts CCC. “The underlying bill … sets a defi nition for what constitutes a qualifi ed 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 certifi ed 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. Jessica Giannino Yes Rep. Jeff Turco 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 (RSeekonk). ELECTRIC AND GAS RATES (S 2238) — The Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy held a hearing on a measure that would prohibit the Department of Public Utilities from approving any rate request that would result in a utility earning a higher profit than what is allowed in fi ve neighboring states. “Massachusetts ratepayers are experiencing some of the highest costs in the nation,” said sponsor Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton). “Now is the time for an all-hands on deck eff ort focused on reducing costs to ratepayers. In recent years, DPU regulators have approved utility rates resulting in returns on equity for utilities that are higher than what utilities are allowed to earn in Connecticut, Rhode Island, Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire. The result has been Massachusetts ratepayers paying millions more annually on their utility bills so that utilities can earn higher profits in Massachusetts than in surrounding states.” CAP HOSPITAL PROFITS AND SALARY OF HOSPITAL CEOS (H 1398) — The Health Care Financing Committee held a hearing on a legislation that would require that in any hospital which accepts state funding, if the CEO’s annual compensation is greater than 50 times the lowest paid employee, the facility will be subject to a civil penalty equal to the amount by which the Chief Executive Offi cer’s annual compensation exceeds 50 times the value of the lowest paid employee. Another provision provides that any state-funded hospital whose annual operating margin (profi t) is more than 8 percent will be subject to a civil penalty equal to the amount by which the annual operating margin exceeds 8 percent. “[The bill] represents a necessary step to ensure that our state’s burgeoning healthcare industry is guided by fairness and accountability,” said sponsor Rep. Jim O’Day (D-West Boylston). “As it stands, hospitals and licensed healthcare institutions are some of the most profitable entities in Massachusetts, with executive pay rivaling that of the highest-paid corporate CEOs. Meanwhile, safety-net hospitals — those serving low-income and underserved populations — often struggle to stay afl oat. To address this inequity, the proposal introduces fi nancial fairness standards by placing a cap on executive pay and redirecting excess revenue into the public, needs-based system.” O’Day continued, “When hospitals prioritize profi t over patient outcomes, treatments are delayed, emergency de
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