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S 54

An act relating to voluntary engagement in sex work

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Martine Gulick and 3 co-sponsors

The bill regulates hemp products in MA by restricting sales/packaging, imposes a 10.75% fee, creates a Hemp Product Education Fund, and strengthens local/state enforcement to prote

Senator Hart name as co-sponsor of bill withdrawn
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · S 54

Summary — S.54 (2025): "An Act regulating the sale of hemp products to protect public health"

Note on sources and scope
- The docket and bill text filed in the Massachusetts Senate (Senate No. 54, presented by Senator Joanne M. Comerford) concern regulation of hemp products. Some metadata provided with the request (alternate title about sex‑crime defenses, a short federal judiciary insertion, and multiple out‑of‑state sponsors) appear to be unrelated or mixed in from other measures. This summary focuses on the substantive Massachusetts bill text as filed (hemp product regulation). Portions of the bill text provided were truncated; where applicable that is noted.

Purpose and intent
- To regulate the retail sale, packaging, advertising and taxation of hemp products in Massachusetts to protect public health — including prohibiting sale of certain hemp products that are marketed or packaged to appear consumable or intoxicating, and to create a dedicated hemp education fund.

Key provisions and changes
- Definitions: Adds/clarifies definitions in Chapter 64N and Chapter 94 for terms including “hemp products,” “non‑ingestible hemp product,” “governmental entity,” and “person.” Non‑ingestible hemp product is defined as hemp‑derived final products not intended to be ingested, inhaled, or otherwise introduced into the body except via topical application, and that do not cause an altered mental state when used.

  • New hemp product fee: Retailers (other than marijuana establishments) must impose a fee equal to 10.75% of the total sale price on sales of hemp products. Fee is collected in addition to existing state sales tax and remitted to the Commissioner of Revenue with regular tax filings. Revenue from this fee is deposited into a newly referenced Hemp Product Education Fund (to be established in Chapter 94G).

  • Sales and packaging prohibitions: Prohibits sale or transfer of a non‑ingestible hemp product that:

    • Is advertised as consumable by ingestion, inhalation, or otherwise introducible into the body (except topical use);
    • Is advertised as causing or able to cause an altered mental state or intoxicating effect;
    • Uses packaging that includes markings/images suggesting it causes intoxication;
    • Uses packaging that closely resembles candy or other food products marketed to children;
    • Is adulterated (with an explicit exception that hemp included in a non‑ingestible hemp product is not automatically an adulterant).

  • Broader cannabinoid sales restriction: Except for prescription drugs, marijuana and marijuana products sold pursuant to Chapter 94G, and products sold in licensed marijuana establishments, the bill forbids sale/transfer of any product containing any cannabinoid.

  • Local enforcement and public health oversight:

    • Local boards of health may investigate suspected violations, take samples for analysis, and take enforcement actions.
    • The Department of Public Health may provide assistance to local boards on request.

  • Enforcement framework (as provided):

    • First violation: removal of violating products from premises and a written warning; may require completion of an informational course about hemp/cannabinoid laws (administered by the local board of health). Failure to complete a required course within 6 months may count as a separate violation.
    • Repeated violations: removal and destruction of prohibited products; local boards may notify permitting/licensing entities (text truncated before full enforcement/penalty list).

Who is affected
- Retailers selling hemp products (outside licensed marijuana establishments) — new fee obligations, product restrictions, packaging/advertising limits and potential enforcement sanctions.
- Hemp product manufacturers and packagers — must avoid packaging or marketing that indicates consumable use or resembles candy/children’s foods and must ensure formulations do not purport to be intoxicating.
- Consumers — limits on availability of certain hemp products and possible changes in price due to the 10.75% fee.
- Local boards of health and the Department of Public Health — expanded inspection and enforcement roles.
- State revenue: Fee revenue directed to a Hemp Product Education Fund (specific fund language referenced).

Procedural status and timeline (selected)
- Introduced in the Massachusetts Senate: Jan 9, 2025 (filed Jan 16, 2025).
- Referred to Committees: Judiciary (initially), Agriculture and Fisheries, and later to Codes; hearings and committee actions recorded (hearing scheduled for 07/09/2025; passed Senate 05/13/2025 and delivered to the House/Assembly; multiple referrals and motions noted through June 2025).
- Bill text as published is partially truncated; final enforcement and administrative details may appear in full version.

Key uncertainties / notes
- Provided materials include unrelated fragments (federal judge appointment language and other sponsors); these appear extraneous to the Massachusetts hemp bill text.
- The enforcement section in the supplied text was truncated; final penalties, licensing impacts, and administrative procedures may be more expansive in the full bill.

If you’d like, I can:
- Produce a side‑by‑side comparison of current law vs. proposed changes (Chapter 64N and Chapter 94G).
- Extract and summarize the full enforcement/penalty provisions if you can provide the remaining pages.

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

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