This legislative bill proposes significant changes to the sale and taxation of hemp products in Massachusetts. It establishes a 10.75% excise tax on retail hemp sales in addition to the current state tax. Revenue from this excise tax will initially fund the Hemp Product Education Fund for the first five fiscal years to support regulation enforcement, before being redirected to the General Fund thereafter. The bill prohibits selling non-ingestible hemp products advertised as consumable through ingestion or inhalation, or those with packaging designed to appeal to children by resembling candy or food items. Local boards of health are tasked with enforcement, including investigations, imposing fines, and confiscating non-compliant products.

The bill includes specific definitions and amendments to clarify distinctions between hemp and marijuana, setting regulatory standards for each. It allows marijuana establishments to sell hemp products as long as they meet strict manufacturing and packaging requirements, possibly more stringent than those for marijuana. Additionally, marijuana-related laws are amended to exclude compliant hemp products, ensuring clear regulatory boundaries. Local health boards must communicate these new rules and penalties to ensure compliance within their jurisdictions.

This bill proposes amendments to chapter 94G of the General Laws, significantly impacting the regulation and control of marijuana establishments in Massachusetts. It introduces and clarifies new definitions for control over marijuana establishments—specifically, "Person or Entity Having Direct Control" and "Person or Entity Having Indirect Control." These definitions encompass various ownership and control scenarios, such as voting power, ownership stakes, and contractual rights. Furthermore, the bill defines an "Owner" as any individual or entity that holds a 10 percent or greater stake in a licensee, either directly or through a parent or holding company.

Additionally, the bill revises licensing rules under Section 16 of chapter 94G, allowing licensees or controlling individuals/entities to acquire more marijuana retailer or medical marijuana treatment center licenses, subject to specific conditions. These additional licenses can be obtained if the majority ownership belongs to businesses certified as Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) by the Supplier Diversity Office. Qualifying businesses include those certified as Social Equity, Economic Empowerment, Massachusetts Minority Business Enterprises (MBE), Women Business Enterprises (WBE), or Veteran Business Enterprises (VBE). The bill mandates that the controlling interest from the licensee or controlling person cannot exceed 35 percent in these businesses.

This bill establishes a year-round Healthy Incentives Program aimed at improving access to nutritious food for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) beneficiaries in Massachusetts. The program enables SNAP recipients to receive matching benefits on their EBT cards for purchasing fruits and vegetables from participating vendors. An emphasis is placed on increasing vendor participation in areas with limited access to fresh produce and supporting historically underserved communities. To ensure equitable community outreach, the bill mandates collaboration with local food coalitions and nonprofit organizations.

To finance the program, the Massachusetts Healthy Incentives Fund is established, drawing revenue from public and private sources, federal reimbursements, and grants. The Department of Transitional Assistance is encouraged to pursue additional federal funding, including from the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program. The bill requires the department to submit an annual report by January 31 to relevant legislative bodies and committees. This report must include details on program activities such as utilization demographics, transaction counts, vendor information, and strategies targeting underserved areas. Additionally, the department is responsible for developing the necessary rules and regulations for the program's implementation.

This legislative bill focuses on regulating private wells in Massachusetts to ensure water quality and public health. It defines "private well" and "private well facility" as wells serving fewer than 25 individuals or used intermittently. The bill directs the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to establish regulations setting minimum standards for private wells, encompassing drinking water quality criteria and testing requirements. This includes testing for new wells and prior to the transfer of property containing a private well. Local health boards are empowered to enforce these regulations or adopt stricter standards as they see fit.

The bill mandates inspections of private wells within two years before a property title transfer, with some exceptions, such as for mortgage refinancing or ownership changes among current owners. Compliance failures will not invalidate property transfers. Additionally, the legislation modifies existing laws to support financial assistance for homeowners needing water treatment systems to comply with drinking water standards. This includes loan guarantees and interest subsidies for eligible remediation projects, under the supervision of local health boards or the DEP.

The bill proposes comprehensive reforms to the regulation and taxation of cannabis and cannabis-related products within Massachusetts. It establishes a new oversight body, the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, comprised of three commissioners appointed by the governor. These commissioners, who must possess relevant expertise and have no felony convictions, are responsible for regulating cannabis activities. The commission's powers include adopting regulations, conducting hearings, and overseeing internal operations. It will be advised by a cannabis advisory board, which includes representatives from various sectors, to provide guidance on regulatory and taxation issues related to cannabis.

Key elements of the bill include the introduction of a detailed licensing system affecting the production, distribution, and retail of consumable CBD products and hemp beverages. This system demands specific endorsements from the Cannabis Control Commission and imposes fines for any regulatory breaches. The bill updates existing legal terms, changing "medical marijuana treatment centers" to "medical marijuana establishments," and clarifies definitions concerning hemp and marijuana.

Further responsibilities of the commission include auditing marijuana licensees, revising regulations, and conducting studies to understand the impact of marijuana use and regulation. Reporting requirements are set to ensure thorough regulatory oversight and alignment with industry changes, including a mandated study on marijuana impacts and routine reviews of the regulatory framework. These efforts aim to enhance the governance of the cannabis industry in Massachusetts, ensuring it is adaptable, transparent, and responsive to emerging trends and needs.

The bill establishes a comprehensive regulatory framework for marijuana and related products in Massachusetts through significant amendments to existing statutes and new provisions. A pivotal element of the bill is the creation of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, which will consist of three commissioners appointed by the governor. The commission is responsible for overseeing all cannabis-related regulations, with a focus on transparency and ethical conduct among its members. In addition, a Cannabis Advisory Board will provide recommendations on regulation and taxation while the commission conducts various studies on cannabis use, market dynamics, and regulatory effectiveness.

The legislation also introduces new regulations and taxes for hemp and CBD products. It requires registration of hemp beverages and consumable CBD products and imposes a 5.35% tax on CBD product sales along with excise taxes on hemp beverages. To ensure compliance, the bill establishes endorsements and certificates of compliance for manufacturing, wholesaling, and retailing. It mandates specific standards for manufacturing, labeling, and testing to guarantee product safety and consumer protection, with penalties for non-compliance.

Furthermore, the bill amends terminology related to marijuana and medical marijuana establishments by replacing "medical marijuana treatment center" with "medical marijuana establishment" across various chapters. It sets forth the licensing process, ownership limitations, and compliance reviews for marijuana establishments, explicitly encouraging participation from communities that have historically been disproportionately affected by marijuana prohibition. The bill includes provisions for future regulatory reviews and updates to align with best practices and scientific findings. Finally, it mandates several studies to assess cannabis usage patterns, market impact, and regulatory outcomes, with reports due by specified deadlines.

The legislative bill introduces a comprehensive reform of cannabis regulation in Massachusetts, establishing a new framework for regulating cannabis and hemp products. This includes the creation of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, composed of three commissioners appointed by the governor, who will oversee regulatory compliance, enforcement, and policy development related to cannabis. Additionally, a Cannabis Advisory Board will provide recommendations and guidance on regulatory matters.

The bill also introduces a 'Consumable CBD Products Tax' and specifies how revenue from this tax will be handled. It mandates the creation of a detailed code of ethics and sets restrictions to prevent conflicts of interest among commission members and employees. Detailed definitions and regulations are outlined for cannabis-related terms and operations, addressing aspects such as hemp, hemp beverages, medical marijuana establishments, and licensing requirements for associated businesses.

Furthermore, the bill revises existing laws concerning the possession and use of cannabis, modifying legal quantities for personal use and adjusting related penalties and definitions. It also stipulates rigorous protocols for the labeling, manufacturing, and sale of cannabis products to ensure compliance with state laws. To support the new regulatory structure, various sections of existing laws are repealed or amended, ultimately fostering ethical business practices and enhancing consistency and enforcement within the cannabis industry in Massachusetts.

This bill contains a number of provisions to strengthen Massachusetts' agricultural economy. It directs the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA), along with other state agencies, to create and update a resilience plan every five years. It establishes a full-time food system coordinator position, who will lead state food program oversight, enhance interagency collaboration, and present findings and recommendations periodically.

The bill calls for a comprehensive policy to optimize the distribution of local food through state food assistance programs, including partnerships with regional food banks and state departments to monitor and improve local food distribution, enhancing transparency through metrics and recommendations. It establishes the Food Security Infrastructure Grant Program, to increase access to healthy local foods and support Massachusetts' food supply and distribution networks through capital needs grants.

The bill creates the Next Generation Farmers Fund, offering grants to educational institutions and community organizations, with an emphasis on assisting historically underserved communities. It also amends regulations to include "agritourism" and supports agricultural preservation through enhanced valuation practices for agriculture-related infrastructure and land.

This bill addresses the presence and management of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) within the agricultural sector. It grants immunity to farmers from civil liability for PFAS-related damages stemming from standard agricultural practices. The bill also establishes the Agricultural PFAS Relief Fund. This fund will provide financial assistance for testing, remediation, and education initiatives concerning PFAS, as well as for necessary infrastructure modifications. Additionally, an Agricultural Fertilizer Purchasing Fund will help farmers cope with fertilization costs due to restrictions on PFAS-contained products.

The bill prohibits the application of biosolids on land and restricts the sale of fertilizers containing PFAS unless they are certified free from such substances, requiring testing and public disclosure of results. Also, lands withdrawn from agricultural use due to PFAS will be exempt from conveyance and roll-back taxes.

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection is designated to develop and enforce regulations on biosolid use, while promoting transparency and public safety. Local communities will be reimbursed for any additional costs of sludge disposal. The bill also mandates a detailed study on state sludge management to reduce sludge volume and toxicity. Supported by a grant program for municipalities to enhance waste management practices, this initiative requires a comprehensive sludge management plan to be submitted by the end of 2026, identifying financial and legislative requirements.

This bill establishes a year-round Healthy Incentives Program in Massachusetts, managed by the Department of Transitional Assistance in collaboration with the Department of Agricultural Resources and the Department of Public Health. The program provides Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients with matching benefits for purchasing fruits and vegetables, which may be fresh, canned, dried, or frozen, from participating vendors. Its goal is to enhance access to fresh produce, particularly in historically underserved areas. To support these efforts, the Massachusetts Healthy Incentives Fund is created, overseen by the commissioner of the Department of Transitional Assistance and financed by public and private sources. The department is authorized to pursue federal funding opportunities, such as the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program, to augment the fund. The bill mandates an annual report to be submitted, detailing program activities including participant demographics, transaction data, vendor participation, and efforts to improve access in underserved regions. This report is to be presented to relevant legislative committees and made available publicly on the department’s website. The department is also responsible for developing the necessary rules and regulations to implement the program, working with local food coalitions and nonprofit organizations to ensure equitable access and high community awareness.