Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission approves draft regulations to increase diversity, oversight and social consumption

Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission approves draft regulations to increase diversity, oversight and social consumption

By Patrick Wilson

The Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) has approved draft regulations that would make it easier for people with criminal records to work in the cannabis industry, increase oversight of host community agreements (HCAs) and move closer to authorizing social consumption sites.

The regulations, which are subject to public comment until September 8, would eliminate previously existing disqualifiers that prevented people with certain criminal charges on their records from being hired into the industry. Marijuana establishments would still be able to consider criminal offenses that involve the distribution of a controlled substance to a minor, including cannabis, or if they are hiring someone applying to work in a lab.

The change is intended to help move people who are selling pot illegally into the legal market and to deter criminal behavior. It would also give employers access to talent that brings new ideas and expertise from the legacy market.

The rewritten regulations also give the CCC new authority to examine and approve HCAs, which marijuana businesses are required to enter into with the cities and towns where they do business. Under the new rules, HCAs will only be permitted for the first eight years a marijuana company is in business and community impact fees will not be allowed to surpass 3 percent of an establishment’s gross sales.

The commission would also have the authority to issue sanctions against a host community that is noncompliant with the requirements of their agreement, hold off on considering new license applications from that community or publish a list of municipalities that are out of compliance.

The commission also sought to target equity in their rewrite, and would require host communities to donate, at minimum, 3 percent of each community impact fee it receives to the Cannabis Social Equity Trust Fund. The fund was created in last year’s cannabis industry reform law, and is intended to make grants and loans available to prospective marijuana entrepreneurs with a focus on supporting people of color and other populations disproportionately harmed by the War on Drugs.

Finally, the commission is seeking to move closer to authorizing social consumption sites, such as cannabis cafes. Commissioners eliminated a previously existing pilot program which would have initially limited social consumption sites to no more than 12 municipalities — thereby allowing any city or town to opt-in to hosting one of these establishments once the licenses become available.

The commission is expected to vote on final regulations concerning HCAs, municipal equity and the suitability hiring policies on September 8. Last year’s law requires that these regulations be distributed by the Secretary of State by Nov. 9.

The commission is also working to finalize regulations for social consumption sites, but a timeline for when these businesses will be able to legally operate has not yet been announced.

** This piece was created with the help of ai.

TO DO THIS WEEKEND: BOSTON AUGUST 11 – 13th, 2023 Sol Fest

TO DO THIS WEEKEND: BOSTON AUGUST 11 – 13th, 2023 Sol Fest

Sol Fest: A Sustainable Celebration

Spontaneous Celebrations, a non-profit arts organization in Jamaica Plain, is hosting a fundraiser on Friday, August 11th to raise money for solar panels for their community arts center. The event, called Sol Fest, will feature live music, a farm-to-table BBQ, and a cash bar.

The event will kick off at 6pm with a performance by Erin Harpe’s Country Blues Duo(Erin Harpe and Jim Countryman). Harpe is an award-winning singer-songwriter who is known for her passionate vocals and her soulful blend of country, blues, and folk music.

At 8pm, Zoë Knight & Mythical Beasts will take the stage. Knight is a local singer-songwriter who is known for her powerful voice and her original deep & funky rock & soul music. She will be joined by her band, Mythical Beasts, for a high-energy performance that is sure to get the crowd dancing.

In addition to the music, there will be a farm-to-table BBQ with food provided by local vendors. There will also be a cash bar and ice cream from JP Licks.

All proceeds from Sol Fest will go toward the purchase of solar panels for Spontaneous Celebrations’ community arts center. The center is committed to sustainability, and solar panels will help them reduce their carbon footprint and save money on energy costs.

Sol Fest is a great opportunity to support a local non-profit arts organization and to enjoy a fun-filled evening of music, food, and community. Tickets are $15 for kids, $25 for students, and $35 for adults. They can be purchased online at www.spontaneouscelebrations.org.

About Spontaneous Celebrations

Spontaneous Celebrations is a non-profit arts organization that provides arts education and programming to people of all ages in Jamaica Plain and beyond. They offer a variety of classes and workshops, as well as performances, festivals, and other events. Their mission is to “create a more just and equitable world through the arts.”

Spontaneous Celebrations is committed to sustainability. They use recycled materials whenever possible, and they have a green roof on their community arts center. They are also working to install solar panels on the building.

Sol Fest is a great way to support Spontaneous Celebrations and their mission to make the world a better place. It is a fun event that will benefit a worthy cause. So come out and join the celebration!

Friday Night on Activate Radio

News, Ecological Reality, Interviews with Legends in the Arts, Civil Rights Yesterday and Today: Order a pizza and settle-in! Activate Radio is committed to diversity and the voices of the marginalized. If you’re looking for a unique and diverse radio experience, check out Activate Radio! You can listen wherever you are, online at activatemedia.org.

  • 6PM ET: Democracy Now! is an independent, global news hour that broadcasts daily on over 1,400 other radio stations and websites in the United States and around the world. The show is hosted by Amy Goodman and Juan González, and it features a mix of news, interviews, and analysis.
  • 7PM ET Radio Ecoshock is a weekly radio program that examines the environmental impact of human activity. The show is hosted by Alex Smith, and it features interviews with experts on a variety of environmental topics.
  • 8PM ET NonVisual Radio is a radio program that features interviews with Legends in the Arts. This Week: Joe Viglione Interviews Simon Kirke of FREE and BAD Co.
  • 9PM ET The Big Picture is a weekly radio program that explores the big ideas that are shaping our world. The show is hosted by Melvin Syrie, Jr., and it features interviews and discussions on a variety of topics, including politics, economics, culture, and civil rights. The Big Picture is known for its thought-provoking analysis of current events, and it has been praised for its ability to help listeners make sense of the complex world we live in.

Events happening in Boston this Weekend, July 14-16th, 2023

Friday, August 11:

Saturday, August 12:

Sunday, August 13:

Weather This Weekend

    • Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82 degrees.
    • Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 62 degrees.
    • Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 85 degrees. There is a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11pm.
    • Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 69 degrees. There is a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms.
    • Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 85 degrees. There is a 40% chance of showers and thunderstorms.
    • Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 66 degrees.

    Overall, it will be a warm and mostly sunny weekend in Boston, with a few chances of showers and thunderstorms. Be sure to pack an umbrella just in case!

    ** This piece was created with the help of ai.

Massachusetts Enacts Free Prison Phone Calls

Massachusetts Enacts Free Prison Phone Calls

By Patrick Wilson

Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed a law on Wednesday that will make all phone calls free in jails and prisons across the state. This is the fifth time that any state has made free phone calls available to all prisons, and the first time for all jails.

The law, which was passed by the state legislature earlier this year, was supported by a coalition of advocates who argued that the high cost of prison phone calls was a barrier to communication between incarcerated people and their families. They also argued that the high cost of phone calls was a form of profiteering by the private companies that control the prison phone market.

The new law will take effect on January 1, 2024. Once it is in place, incarcerated people in Massachusetts will be able to make unlimited free phone calls to any phone number in the United States. This is a major victory for advocates for incarcerated people and their families, and it is a sign that the tide is turning against the high cost of prison phone calls.

The new law is expected to have a number of positive impacts. It will help to strengthen families by making it easier for incarcerated people to stay in touch with their loved ones. It will also help to reduce recidivism rates by providing incarcerated people with the support they need to reintegrate into society.

In addition to Massachusetts, four other states have made free prison phone calls available: Connecticut, California, Colorado, and Minnesota. It is likely that more states will follow suit in the coming years.

The passage of this law is a major step forward for incarcerated people and their families. It is a sign that states are starting to recognize the importance of communication between incarcerated people and their loved ones. 

** This piece was created with the help of ai.