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SD 146

An Act relative to cannabis use by first responders

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Julian Cyr

Mandates a CCC-led study (with EOPSS) on barriers to first responders’ legal cannabis use in MA, assessing testing, policies, federal issues, and reporting by 12/31/2026.

House concurred
0
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Bill Summary · SD 146

Summary: An Act relative to cannabis use by first responders (Senate Docket No. 146)

Overview

This bill directs a formal study by the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), in consultation with the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS), to examine barriers to first responders’ legal use of cannabis in the Commonwealth. The goal is to identify current obstacles and considerations that could inform future policy decisions.

Purpose and Intent

  • To assess whether and how first responders (police, fire, and other public safety personnel) could legally use cannabis in a way that addresses safety, regulatory, and federal-law constraints.
  • To evaluate the interplay between state policies and federal law (including the federal Controlled Substances Act) and their impact on first responders.

Key Provisions

  • Mandated Study: The CCC, with input from EOPSS, must study barriers related to first responders’ legal cannabis use.
  • Topics to Research (non-exhaustive list):
    • Drug testing requirements for police officers and first responders.
    • Internal department policies regarding cannabis use.
    • Authority of police chiefs under section 97A of chapter 41.
    • State and federal license-to-carry law requirements.
    • Implications of the federal Controlled Substances Act and other federal laws.
    • Efficacy of cannabis for treating anxiety, depression, stress, PTSD, and other traumas.
    • Cannabis-use laws, policies, and practices in other states/jurisdictions.
    • Any other topics the CCC deems relevant.
  • Process: The CCC and EOPSS may consult experts and hold public meetings, fact-finding hearings, and other forums as needed.
  • Report Deadline: The CCC must submit a written report to the clerks of the Senate and House, and the specified joint committees, no later than December 31, 2026.

Who Is Affected

  • Primary: First responders and their agencies (e.g., police departments, fire and other public safety entities) within Massachusetts.
  • Secondary: CCC, EOPSS, local and state law enforcement policy makers, and lawmakers evaluating potential regulatory changes.

Timeline and Legislative Action

  • Introduced: January 8, 2025.
  • Status: House concurred on March 10, 2025; referred to the Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy.
  • Report Due: December 31, 2026.
  • Sponsorship: Julian Cyr (with James B. Eldridge as a petitioner).

Notes

  • The bill is a study and reporting measure rather than immediate statutory changes. It sets up a framework to gather data and contextualize potential policy developments related to cannabis use by first responders.

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

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