Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission is currently facing major governance issues following several leadership resignations. Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro called on state legislators to put the CCC in receivership for effective oversight.

What We Did to Get Here

CCC was created to oversee and regulate legal cannabis in California. However, it has been plagued by issues such as high staff turnover rates, internal conflicts and delayed policy implementation. Notable, several commissioners resigned prior to the end of their term, and chair Shannon O’Brien’s suspension in September 2023.  The CCC also faced criticism after failing to inform the commissioners of a death by a Holyoke cannabis worker and for a March 2023 data breach that revealed personal information about cannabis workers. 

Current Situation

As a result of these problems, Shapiro recommends that the CCC be overseen by a receiver. His concerns were centered on the governance of the CCC, not its staff. There is a short window of time before this legislative session ends for legislators to act upon the recommendation. 

Cannabis Industry Implications

Instability in the CCC raises questions about effective regulation for Massachusetts’ cannabis industry. The public’s trust and the growth of industry could be affected by delays in implementation and supervision. Participants are monitoring legislation closely to decide the direction that cannabis regulation will take in the state.