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S 91

Relates to requiring bills with a threshold level of co-sponsorship to be brought to the floor for a vote to be taken thereon

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Jim Tedisco

Imposes a temporary halt on new marijuana licenses for retailers, cultivators, and product manufacturers while the state conducts a study on license numbers, supply, and enforcemen

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Bill Summary · S 91

Summary — S.91 (Massachusetts): Temporary moratorium on certain marijuana licenses

Note: the materials provided include unrelated federal legislation also numbered S.91 (a Congressional Gold Medal Act). The summary below addresses the Commonwealth of Massachusetts bill titled “An Act establishing a temporary moratorium on the issuance of certain marijuana license types” (Senate Docket No. 2083 / S.91), filed by Senator Michael O. Moore.

Main purpose

Establish a temporary moratorium on the issuance of new marijuana retailer, marijuana cultivator, and marijuana product manufacturer licenses while the Cannabis Control Commission (the Commission) completes an economic and regulatory study of the licensed market. The moratorium is intended to allow analysis of license counts, supply adequacy, market oversupply issues, and enforcement of cultivation tiers before issuing additional non-exempt licenses.

Key provisions

  • Adds Section 23 to Chapter 94G of the Massachusetts General Laws.
  • Moratorium scope:
    • From the effective date until 180 days after publication of the Commission’s study (but in no event more than one year from the effective date), the Commission shall not issue new licenses for:
    • Marijuana retailer
    • Marijuana cultivator
    • Marijuana product manufacturer
    • Exceptions:
    • Applications already deemed complete by the Commission prior to the effective date may still be issued.
    • Applicants who are participants in the social equity or economic empowerment program (per section 22) may continue to receive licenses.
    • The moratorium does not apply to social consumption licenses.
  • Required study:
    • The Commission must conduct or retain an outside economic expert to analyze:
    • The appropriate number of licenses under Chapter 94G.
    • Adequacy of cannabis supply for patients and consumers and whether oversupply harms market participants.
    • Adequacy of Commission enforcement of regulations related to cultivation tiers.
    • The study must be published on the Commission’s website and submitted to the Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy.
    • The Commission must commence the study no later than 30 days after the section’s effective date.
  • Effective date: upon passage. The moratorium cannot exceed one year from that date.

Who is affected

  • Directly affected:
    • Prospective applicants for new marijuana retailer, cultivator, and product manufacturer licenses (unless exempted as noted).
    • Cannabis businesses awaiting license issuance where their application was not deemed complete before the effective date.
  • Indirectly affected:
    • Current licensed operators (market dynamics, supply/price impacts may result).
    • Patients and adult consumers if the study leads to policy changes addressing supply adequacy.
    • Social equity program participants (exempt from the moratorium).
  • The Cannabis Control Commission: required to commission/perform the study, publish results, and abide by the moratorium timeline.

Timeline and procedural aspects

  • Moratorium begins upon the bill’s enactment and ends either:
    • 180 days after the Commission publishes the required study, or
    • No later than one year after enactment (whichever comes first).
  • The Commission must start the study within 30 days of enactment and publish results on its website and to the Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy.
  • Legislative status (selected):
    • Filed/Presented by Sen. Michael O. Moore (Senate Docket No. 2083) — filed 1/17/2025.
    • Referred to the Committee on Cannabis Policy (2/27/2025); hearing scheduled 4/9/2025.
    • Notation: accompanied a study order (see S2677).

Potential impacts to watch

  • Short-term slowdown in market entry for non-exempt new businesses.
  • May protect existing licensees from increased competition while the market is assessed.
  • Study findings could inform future licensing caps, supply controls, or enforcement changes that materially affect cultivation tiers, pricing, and consumer access.

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

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