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SD 1143

An Act protecting cannabis equity businesses by enforcing ownership limits

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Liz Miranda

Strengthens ownership-limit oversight of cannabis licenses with audits, whistleblower protections, a public ownership database, and a tip line to boost transparency and equity.

House concurred
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Bill Summary · SD 1143

Summary: Bill SD 1143 — An Act protecting cannabis equity businesses by enforcing ownership limits

Overview

SD 1143, titled “An Act protecting cannabis equity businesses by enforcing ownership limits,” is a Massachusetts proposed bill introduced on March 10, 2025. Its goal is to strengthen oversight and enforcement of ownership limits for cannabis licenses to protect equity-focused licensees and integrity within the industry. The bill has been concurred by the House and was referred to the Committee on Cannabis Policy.

What the bill would do

  • Expand accountability for ownership of marijuana establishments and marijuana treatment centers.
  • Create new enforcement and transparency mechanisms to ensure compliance with ownership limits (Chapter 94G, Section 16) and related regulations.
  • Establish protections for whistleblowers and provide channels for reporting violations or anti-competitive practices.
  • Improve public visibility into who owns cannabis licenses and to what extent.

Key provisions

1) Additions to Chapter 94G, Section 4(a) (new subsections XXXIII–XLII)
- XXXIII — Audit: Require an audit of all marijuana establishment and marijuana treatment center license owners to verify compliance with ownership limits.
- XXXIV — Whistleblower protections: Create a program protecting individuals who report ownership-limit violations, anti-competitive practices, workplace safety issues, and other regulatory violations; protect against retaliation; provide procedures for reporting and for public release of findings.
- XLI — Anonymous tip line: Establish a tip line (phone and online) for suspected ownership-limit violations or anti-competitive practices, developed with the cannabis advisory board and through stakeholder engagement (public listening session).
- XLII — Public ownership database: Maintain a publicly accessible database with ownership information, including licensees’ names and ownership percentages, updated regularly. Accessible via the CCC license tracker and retail finder. Data to be provided in a web-accessible format, excluding personal contact or other protected information.

2) Audit authority for state officials (Chapter 12A and Chapter 11 amendments)
- Section 9 (Inspector General): Add authority to audit compliance with ownership limits and related regulations; findings to be reported to the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) and the chairs of the Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy.
- Section 12 (Department of State Auditor): Add authority to audit ownership-limit compliance; findings to be reported to the CCC and the chairs of the Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy.

Who is affected

  • Cannabis license holders (marijuana establishments and marijuana treatment centers): subject to new audits, ownership reviews, and reporting requirements.
  • Individuals and entities with ownership interests in cannabis licenses: potentially impacted by enhanced disclosure, audits, and enforcement actions.
  • Whistleblowers and employees, investors, and other stakeholders: protected under the new whistleblower program.
  • Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, Inspector General, and the Department of State Auditor: new or expanded oversight and reporting responsibilities.
  • The public and researchers: improved access to ownership information through the public database.

Procedural and timeline notes

  • Filed: January 15, 2025; Introduced March 10, 2025.
  • Legislative actions: Referred to the Senate’s Committee on Cannabis Policy and House concurrence occurred on March 10, 2025, with status listed as House concurred.
  • Implementation would involve amendments to existing law (Chapter 94G, Chapter 12A, Chapter 11) and parallel development of procedures for audits, tip line operations, and the public database.

Potential impact

  • Increased transparency around license ownership.
  • stronger deterrents against ownership-limit violations and anti-competitive practices.
  • enhanced protections for workers and whistleblowers.
  • more robust data for regulators and policymakers to monitor equity goals in the cannabis industry.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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