FAQ
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MEDICAL-USE AND ADULT-USE CANNABIS IN MASSACHUSETTS?
Medical-Use cannabis, as its name suggests, is cannabis sold for medical use to a Qualifying Patient or their Personal Caregiver. Medical-Use was legalized in Massachusetts in 2012. Adult-Use cannabis is cannabis that is sold to adults 21 years or older.Adult-Use was legalized in Massachusetts in 2017.
HOW IS THE CANNABIS INDUSTRY REGULATED IN MASSACHUSETTS?
The Massachusetts cannabis industry is regulated by a state agency called the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC).
WHAT TYPES OF BUSINESSES ARE CURRENTLY ELIGIBLE TO APPLY FOR MEDICAL-USE OR ADULT-USE LICENSES IN MASSACHUSETTS?
Cannabis cultivators, manufacturers, retailers, craft cooperatives, product manufacturers, microbusinesses, independent testing laboratories, retailers, transporters, delivery operators, couriers, and research facilities are currently eligible to apply for Adult-Use licenses. In the future, Social Consumption Establishments will also be eligible to apply for Adult-Use licenses. Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MTCs) are eligible to apply for Medical-Use licenses. A MTC that also operates under an Adult-Use license for cultivation, product manufacturing or retail operations is referred to as a Colocated Marijuana Operation (CMO).
DO THE MEDICAL-USE AND ADULT-USE REGULATIONS IMPOSE TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR PEOPLE WHO WORK IN THE INDUSTRY?
Yes. Owners, employees, executives, and volunteers of MTCs (known as MTC Agents) and owners, employees, executives, and volunteers of Adult-Use licensees (known as Marijuana Establishment Agents), as well as consultants or contractors who provide onsite services relating to cannabis operations, are required to to receive at least eight hours training annually that is tailored to their roles and responsibilities. A minimum of four hours of that training must be from Responsible Vendor Training Program courses that have been certified by the CCC.
WHAT IS RESPONSIBLE VENDOR STATUS AND HOW DOES A MEDICAL-USE OR ADULT-USE LICENSEE GET IT?
As a general rule, Agents must compete their RVT coursework prior to assuming job duties. However, once licensees have trained all of their existing Agents, they receive Responsible Vendor status from the CCC, after which any Agents only need to complete RVT coursework within 90 days of hire. Until late 2020, there was a general RVT course certified by the CCC that was available to satisfy this requirement. However, as of February 10, 2021, previously certified RVT courses will not longer satisfy training requirements and, going forward, Agents must successfully complete a so-called Basic Core Curriculum course.
WHAT IF A MEDICAL-USE OR ADULT-USE lICENSEE FAILS TO MAINTAIN ITS RESPONSIBLE VENDOR STATUS?
If an licensee fails to maintain its Responsible Vendor status, the CCC can suspend, revoke, or refuse to renew its license.
DOES STOKER OFFER AN ACCREDITED BASIC CORE CURRICULUM COURSE?
Yes! On January 19, 2021, Stoker Consulting submitted proposed Basic Core Curriculum course content to the CCC and received same-day approval for the course.