The cannabis industry in Massachusetts, once heralded as a burgeoning market, is now confronting a series of economic and regulatory challenges that threaten its stability and growth. Stakeholders across the state are voicing concerns over declining profits, stringent regulations, and legal uncertainties that have led to business closures and calls for reform.Economic Pressures … [Read more...] about Massachusetts Cannabis Industry Grapples with Economic and Regulatory Hurdles
Massachusetts
Highs and Hurdles: State Cannabis Market Booms Despite Industry Pressures
Massachusetts' cannabis industry marked a significant milestone in 2024, achieving a record $1.64 billion in adult-use cannabis sales, as reported by the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC). This achievement underscores the rapid growth and maturation of the state's cannabis market since the legalization of recreational marijuana in 2018 .The cumulative gross sales … [Read more...] about Highs and Hurdles: State Cannabis Market Booms Despite Industry Pressures
Massachusetts Cannabis Businesses Struggle Amid Plummeting Prices
The Massachusetts cannabis industry is facing significant financial strain as marijuana prices have dropped dramatically. Since November 2018, retail prices have fallen from $14.09 per gram to $5.36 per gram in 2024, a 62% decrease. Factors Contributing to Price Decline Several elements have led to this downturn: • Increased Cultivation Licenses: The Cannabis Control … [Read more...] about Massachusetts Cannabis Businesses Struggle Amid Plummeting Prices
Cannabis Control Commission didn’t collect $1.7M in fees, inspector general says
A group from the Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition testified before the Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024, to describe the issues marijuana companies have had with the Cannabis Control Commission. The Cannabis Control Commission failed to collect about $550,000 in prorated license fees and up to $1.2 million in potential provisional licensing fees … [Read more...] about Cannabis Control Commission didn’t collect $1.7M in fees, inspector general says
Plummeting pot prices have Mass. cannabis businesses on edge
Nike John walked to the back of her auto shop-turned-cannabis dispensary in Charlestown on a recent morning and threw open the heavy metal door to the vault. Inside were rows of shelves stacked with colorfully packaged marijuana products. "We have chocolate, taffy, gummies," she said, surveying her inventory. "Over here we have vapes, disposable vapes." This store room is the … [Read more...] about Plummeting pot prices have Mass. cannabis businesses on edge
The ills of a billion-dollar enterprise: The slow-death of the cannabis industry, and what might be done to reverse the trend
The Massachusetts cannabis industry is a billion-dollar enterprise, with over 700 retailers operating across the state. Yet stores are closing, companies are firing their workers and retail and non-retail licenses are being surrendered by former operators as business owners clamor for regulatory changes to transform an industry they see as unsustainable. The changes are taking … [Read more...] about The ills of a billion-dollar enterprise: The slow-death of the cannabis industry, and what might be done to reverse the trend
Mass. attorney pleads guilty to smuggling marijuana-soaked papers into detention center
A Massachusetts attorney pleaded guilty Wednesday to participating in a conspiracy with three others to smuggle contraband into a federal detention center in Rhode Island. Theresa Marie DiJoseph, 51, conspired with three other individuals in late 2023 to smuggle 10 papers soaked with K2, a synthetic marijuana, into the Donald W. Wyatt Detention Center in Central Falls, R.I., … [Read more...] about Mass. attorney pleads guilty to smuggling marijuana-soaked papers into detention center
Massachusetts social cannabis rules could go up for debate this month. Here’s what to know
The latest draft framework for allowing people to use marijuana in public social settings could be released next week as the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission considers feedback from public health experts, law enforcement and others, a regulator said Thursday. Commissioner Nurys Camargo, one of two CCC members who has spearheaded the latest effort to launch the social … [Read more...] about Massachusetts social cannabis rules could go up for debate this month. Here’s what to know
Newell: Legal marijuana is an economic sham, the industry is in crisis, and the chickens are baked and coming home to roost
Back in 2012, when the first states legalized marijuana, it was a challenge to disprove dissenters. It was more a strong gut feeling than anything else. “But just wait,” I said. “I’ll say I told you so before long…” Well, today is that day. An article by Julie Wernau came out yesterday in the Wall Street Journal. It’s called “The Rise and Fall of the ‘Nappa Valley of … [Read more...] about Newell: Legal marijuana is an economic sham, the industry is in crisis, and the chickens are baked and coming home to roost
State report: Cannabis potency up, prices down
More than six years in, the legal cannabis industry landscape in Massachusetts has had a chance to evolve, and a new industry report examines some of the trendlines. Published by the Cannabis Control Commission last week, the report shows an evolution that has been marked by plummeting prices and rising product potency, a network of retail stores that more densely dot the map … [Read more...] about State report: Cannabis potency up, prices down
