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S 94

Requires high schools to provide a course in financial literacy and requires students to complete such course as a condition of graduation

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Joe Addabbo and 10 co-sponsors

Massachusetts bill bans billboard ads for non-prescription cannabis, keeps 85%+ 21+ audience rule for other media, and requires conspicuous signage and 21+ entry.

REFERRED TO EDUCATION
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Bill Summary · S 94

Bill Summary — S 94 (2025)

Title as filed: An Act relative to prohibiting billboard advertisements of non‑prescription marijuana

Note on conflicting metadata
- The provided packet contains inconsistent metadata (an initial title about a high‑school financial literacy course versus the actual bill text). This summary is based on the bill text filed in the Massachusetts Senate (Senate Docket No. 2431 / Senate No. 94), which amends chapter 94G (non‑medical cannabis) to prohibit billboard advertising of non‑prescription marijuana and to revise certain advertising and access language.

Main purpose

To tighten advertising limits for non‑prescription (adult‑use) cannabis in Massachusetts by:
- Prohibiting billboard advertising of non‑prescription marijuana; and
- Revising other advertising and access language in section 4 of chapter 94G to change how audience/age safeguards are applied and to require conspicuous signage for age‑restricted entry.

Key provisions and specific changes

The bill amends Section 4 of Massachusetts General Laws chapter 94G (2020 Official Edition):

  1. Advertising restrictions (replacement of a paragraph)

    • Current rule (prior text): Advertising, marketing and branding by means of television, radio, internet, billboard or print publication is prohibited unless at least 85% of the audience is reasonably expected to be 21+ (based on reliable audience data).
    • New text in S 94:
      • (2a) Explicit prohibition on advertising, marketing and branding by means of billboards.
      • (2b) Advertising via television, radio, internet, or print publication remains prohibited unless at least 85% of the audience is reasonably expected to be 21+ (same audience‑composition test retained for these media).
    • Net effect: billboards are removed from the media that may rely on an 85%‑adult audience test and are banned outright.

  2. Entry/age restriction language (replacement of another clause)

    • Replaces language that allowed certain access/advertising if the audience was 85% 21+ with a requirement that “entry is restricted to those 21 years of age or older.”
    • Effect: shifts from an audience‑composition compliance test toward an explicit venue/entry age restriction for certain contexts.

  3. Signage clarity

    • Inserts the word “conspicuous” into a clause (line 265), strengthening the requirement that any specified sign or notice be clearly visible (i.e., a conspicuous sign).

Who would be affected

  • Cannabis retailers, producers, and brands (adult‑use) — restrictions on where and how they may advertise, and requirements for premises access and signage.
  • Outdoor advertising companies / billboard operators — loss of ability to carry adult‑use cannabis advertising.
  • Media companies (TV, radio, internet, print) — must continue to ensure 85%+ audience composition when carrying cannabis advertising.
  • Consumers and the public — likely reduced exposure to out‑of‑home cannabis advertising, particularly in public/billboard contexts; potential reduction in youth exposure.
  • Enforcement authorities and municipal governments — would enforce amended advertising/access rules under chapter 94G; the bill text does not itself add new penalties, so existing enforcement mechanisms in chapter 94G would apply.

Procedural status and timeline (as provided)

  • Introduced: January 15, 2025 (filed in Senate Jan 17, 2025)
  • Sponsor/Petitioners: Senator Patrick M. O’Connor (filed); John F. Keenan listed on petition.
  • Referred to: Committee on Cannabis Policy (record shows referral also to Education in some metadata — this appears inconsistent).
  • Hearing scheduled: June 17, 2025 from 10:00 AM–1:00 PM (location B‑1).
  • Current status in the provided record: REFERRED TO EDUCATION / Referred to Cannabis Policy (conflicting entries). No enacted or effective date listed in the text.

Related bills / notes

  • Related/companion measures are listed (HR 452, A 5052, prior‑session S bills). The filing packet includes an extensive list of additional cosponsors that appears inconsistent with a state bill filing — primary sponsor for this state bill is Senator Patrick M. O’Connor.

Practical implications

  • Immediate compliance actions for cannabis businesses would include halting billboard campaigns, reviewing media buys to ensure audience‑composition tests are met (for TV/radio/internet/print), and ensuring premises signage is conspicuous and that entry restrictions are physically enforced for 21+ access settings.
  • Municipalities and advertisers should monitor implementation guidance or regulations from state authorities overseeing chapter 94G for enforcement specifics.

If you want, I can:
- Extract the precise lines of chapter 94G as amended and present them side‑by‑side with the prior text, or
- Prepare a short one‑page compliance checklist for cannabis businesses and advertisers.

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

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