2023-09-19 00:00:00 - Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy
2023-09-19 00:00:00 - Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy
SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
SPEAKER1 - I'd like to extend my congratulations
and on his upcoming arrival, new additions was family
SPEAKER2 - and his wife, in
SPEAKER1 - his absence, I would like to recognize the representatives, Saunders, Gary, Souza,
SPEAKER2 - Chan, Capano, Howard, Cruise,
SPEAKER1 - that and solar starters. Today, we will have, hearing testimony regarding general cannabis legislation we will be hearing from in person, testify first, and then we will
SPEAKER2 - move to the virtual portion. I would like to remind everyone Okay. 3 minute limit
SPEAKER1 - for testimonies. Thank you.
SPEAKER2 - So I know we have some legislators here, so we're gonna take then I'll order, first, we will hear from
SPEAKER1 - representative, Steven Owens, and the bill he will be testifying is H115 in the same lane for peace among
SPEAKER2 - the cannabis workforce, which are sensitive.
REP OWENS - HB 115 - SB 49 - Thank you so much, chair. Chair Gomez and members82 of the committee. Thank you for84 your time. Thank you. Thank you for taking me early86 in the, in the hearing, as you said, I'm here to speak on behalf of, H.115, and Senate 49, which is an act to facilitate labor peace among the cannabis workforce. This99 is a very similar bill, to a bill101 I filed last session. Which was redrafted by this committee and then reported out favorably. My co filer, Senator Edwards, and I are looking forward to, working with the to see how we can get this legislation, moved forward, again. So this bill would require a new perspective marijuana establishments to enter into labor peace agreements with their workforce as a condition of getting a license.
These agreements are going to make sure that workers in cannabis establishments can decide to organize without interference from employers.131 A union representation in cannabis industry is key to ensuring that jobs are safer, that they're better paying, and more likely to provide benefits like health care, paid leave, fair schedule. You know, we're living in a time where retail workers are more and more demanding union protections, whether it's Starbucks or REI or Trader151 Joe's or Apple stores. And we've seen the lengths that many of these companies and others like Amazon will go to, to interfere with employees rights to form a union. We can avoid these kinds of high profile labor fights in a commonwealth's cannabis industry by requiring peace agreements.
What this bill does is level the playing field for cannabis workers. This bill would not only cover cannabis retailers, though. It would also cover grow facilities, distribution sites. Union productions can make these jobs safer last year, a worker in Holyoke, died at a cultivation facility, and a similar death happened over the summer in Illinois, both at nonunion shops. By the way. Additionally, the attorney general's division of fair labor, that the now governors, Find cannabis companies hundreds of thousands of dollars in violations of Massachusetts wage and hour laws. So we must make sure that these are union jobs with union benefits protections and representation.
Finally, the implied promise of legalization was that the benefit would flow to those who are disproportionately harmed by criminalization. Last session, we took some steps to better live up to that promise. The next step is ensuring that workers get a fair share of that $4,000,000,000 in gross sales. They have helped generate since legalization. And the best way to do that is to make sure make it so that anyone employed in the cannabis industry who wants union protection can get them. So thank you again for your time. I urge you to report this bill out favorably and happy to answer any questions. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
SPEAKER2 - You
very
SPEAKER4 - much.
SPEAKER2 - In
SPEAKER1 - or
SPEAKER4 - no
SPEAKER5 - on that.
SPEAKER2 - Or no, Quinn? Thanks.
SPEAKER6 - I'm primarily testifying for H113 with some references that bill, would you rather I wait?
SPEAKER2 - Matter of fact, you are standing in and you may sit down and
SPEAKER1 - you may testify so we can make sure you
SPEAKER2 - don't have to get up
SPEAKER4 - Okay.
SPEAKER2 - 112. Thanks. 111, 112, and 113. So if it all comes together. You have the floor, ma'am.
SPEAKER6 - Okay. Thank you.
SPEAKER4 - No problem.
ORNELLA QUINN - CONCERNED CITIZEN - HB 113 - HB 111 - HB 112 - HB 3560 - HB 3750 - So, so hi. I'm Ornella Quinn. I'm mother of 2. From Berlin Mass. So thank you chairman and members of the joint committee for this opportunity to offer my support of House Bill 113, as well as, 111 and 112. So, my experience and belief are that the current advertising law that includes the 85% adult composition viewing rule is unenforceable. There is no such thing as reliable audience composition data when it comes to the age demographic of billboard viewers unless the advertising medium has a way to 100% guarantee this. So I believe that this bill, house bill385 113, which incorporates a very small and simple language mod vacation to 94G, would address this issue immediately and thoroughly.
So along with the help of other concerned citizens, as well as public health advocates and medical professionals, we have compiled403 an ever growing list of marijuana billboard advertisements across the state that violate the current law. Over the past few years, these numerous suspected billboard violations have been reported to the CCC. There was never any action taken. No answers given, and the billboards remain in clear425 violation of this law. I have simply lost confidence that the CCC can and will effectively regulate cannabis billboards in any meaningful way. These437 billboards with messaging such as439 keeping spirits high in Greenfield. Our opening minds, also in Greenfield, dazed in Chicopee. It's 420 somewhere in Framingham, making life better, in Worcester.
Springfield is better with cannabis or cannabis for everyone in Springfield. And of course, the crowning achievement, life is better with cannabis in East Hampton. So this is a sampling of some of the most egregious messaging, all with no clear warnings, while located473 in areas with high densities of Colleges and Universities The proliferation of these billboards in Worcester, in Amherst, Holyoke, Northampton, and Chicopee is negligent on the part of our communities and has proven harmful to our youth. Imagine for just a minute that the word cannabis was replaced with the word alcohol, in these ads and tell me if you think that the messaging is appropriate, least of all, honest, for anyone, but most importantly, a teen or an adolescent.
So are507 these billboard ads actually affecting509 the amount cannabis being consumed by our youth? Well, according to a recent study in PubMed, cannabis marketing and problematic use among adolescents, adolescents who saw billboards only rarely had five times the odds of cannabis disorder, whereas youth who saw the most of the time had seven times the odds of weekly use and six times the534 odds of cannabis use disorder. I'd say the answer is yes. So in summary, we have a law in place that was intended to protect our youth, but our experience is showing that targeted marketing is heavily influencing our youth. Researchers at the Mental Health Services in Denmark and NIDA, the National Institute of Drug Abuse at the National Institute of Health, analyzed health records spanning five decades of more than 6,000,000 people in Denmark.
572 They572 found strong evidence of an associate between cannabis use disorder and schizophrenia among men and women. The authors have estimated that as many as 30% of cases of schizophrenia among men age 21 to 30 might have been prevented by a birding cannabis use disorder. So it's time we rein in these harms and regulate cannabis advertising in much the same way as we do tobacco advertising. So I, respectfully, support bill H.113, H.111 and H.112 because they help to minimize the exposure of cannabis advertising to youth. And I respectfully oppose Bill H.3560 3750 in favor of 113. Despite many meetings with the CCC, as I said previously, I just simply have lost the confidence and then possibly being able to effectively regulate cannabis billboard advertising in any meaningful way. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
SPEAKER4 - Thank you.
SPEAKER6 - Thank you. Another Quinn
SPEAKER2 - I appreciate your testimony. Any questions from my colleagues? Ask the question. Absolutely. Representative to take you off the floor.
REP CONSALVO - Do you know if you ended up answering with some kind of, I'm curious your thoughts on how the if the billboards are regulated, would be the CCC that addresses it, the state agency that does outdoor advertising or the local city or town also running late for his own AA billboards.
QUINN - Did I'm sorry. The first part?
CONSALVO - Oh, I just said I didn't I don't know if you have the answer. I can certainly find it out, but this law was in the past Hollywood Commission with the corrective action to be done. Is it through the cannabis control division? Is it through the outdoor habitat? A679 commission of the state that regulates billboards or would be through cities and towns that's zoning around them.
QUINN - Right. Right. Well, the law would effectively ban all marijuana billboard advertising. So I691 would say that would be regulated by our state lawmakers. So be a law. So it That's why
CONSALVO - I was understanding the process, and I can follow-up after. We're very curious about one of those703 acronyms and it's illegal.
QUINN - Oh, currently. Currently. Oh, it well, currently, it would be the CCC, which is why we have had multiple meetings with the CCC. We've provided documentation on these billboards. We've requested the data that they should have seen, which showed that 85 over 85% of the viewers were over 21. But they failed to supply any of that information and, have never given us any answers. And like I said, the billboards remain which is why I maintain that it is an unenforceable law. And if it is, then it there should be effective ban on marijuana advert billboard advertising currently. Yeah.751 Yeah.
CONSALVO - Thank you. Perfect. I don't have SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
SPEAKER2 - any questions to my right?
SEN GOMEZ - Oh, just to kind of dialogue a little bit. Thank you, Ms. Quinn How would naturally would see the because they need a special permit to even put up birds on a municipal side. And then, obviously, who handles that kind of, you know, that, I guess, that precedence,778 I think, would be the locality. So they would have to in my mind, because I, when782 I used to be a city councilor That's where my784 former Yeah. Right. So I understand the question because it comes to a time when do we have the capacity that the CCC has capacity? You go around the for the billboards, which we need a little bit of help when it comes to accountability when it comes to the municipalities if those are clear violations if this law was the best. Yeah. But Good question. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
We're got to move on, and I'm going to, look to see if every, anyone else is here for 111. Okay. That's in person. We're got to move on. H 112 and add relative to establishing a minimum age of entry for cannabis. It was sponsored by House member representative Hannah Kane. And 112.
We have Amy Turncliff testifying on behalf of H112. Is Amy here with us today? Please.
SPEAKER8 - So I signed to testify in person on847
SPEAKER9 - 3 bills. Should I
SPEAKER8 - do all of849 those, together?
SPEAKER2 - I'm got to actually take853 them as I as I go. So maybe, I'll give you858 5 minutes. To do all 3? Yes,860 ma'am.
AMY TANKLEFF - CONCERNED CITIZEN - HB 112 - HB 113 - HB 3560 - Distinguished chairs and members of the joint committee on cannabis policy. Thank you very much for the opportunity to provide testimony today. My name is Amy Tankleff. I hold a PhD in neurobiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and completed post doctoral training at Harvard Medical School. My area of expertise is mental and substance use disorders with a focus on the impact of cannabis use and cannabis policy on adolescent and young adult behavioral health. I have testified many times over the past eight years in front of this committee and the Cannabis Control Commission to educate policy makers on the large body of scientific literature showing serious risk of health harms from cannabis use by adolescents, specifically the main psychoactive component THC and the worsening of those health harms caused by commercialization.
I am speaking in support of H.112 and H.113 today. Is well established in scientific literature that adolescents and young adults who regularly use marijuana are at increased risk for addiction to marijuana and other substance is including opioids, negative impacts on cognition, poor academic performance at both the high school and college level, cannabinoid hypothesis syndrome, serious mental health harms, including cannabis induced psychosis, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and suicidal thoughts and attempts. Based on the science evidence. And after many meetings with the cannabis control commissioners on the topic of billboard advertising, any policy that allows any amount billboard advertising results in cannabis marketing and advertising948 to tens and likely hundreds of thousands of children and teens across the commonwealth.
Well, there has been955 a robust body of scientific literature, revealing the impact of advertising and marketing on youth, alcohol, and tobacco use. More the same impact for recreational and medical marijuana marketing and advertising. For example, the author of a 2017 study assessing exposure to advertisements and marijuana use among US adolescents concluded that exposure to marijuana advertisements was associated with higher odds of current marijuana use among adolescents. In 2018, researchers found that a higher average exposure to medical marijuana advertising was associated with higher average use intentions to use, positive expectancies, and negative consequences. The authors concluded results suggest that exposure to advertising may not only play a significant role in shaping attitudes about marijuana, but may also contribute to increased marijuana use and related negative consequences throughout adolescence.
The this highlights the importance of considering regulations for marijuana advertising similar to regulations in place for the promotion of tobacco in the United States. Of note, one of the more recent cannabis billboards my kids and I seen in Massachusetts was for Packs THC Vaporizers. This was the first time I had seen a billboard for a Massachusetts by a Massachusetts retailer for a specific THC product rather than a retail store more broadly. It is interesting that the maker of tax vaporizers is the parent company from which Jewel, which hopefully everybody is well aware of what Jewel is, spun off from. We now have centuries of good quality data much from the last decade showing that THC can induce acute episodes of1060 psychosis in a dose and that the conversion rate from cannabis induced psychosis to schizophrenia or bipolar disorder is higher than for any other drug induced psychosis at nearly 50%.
Alarmingly recent sir student survey data collected in Massachusetts, show that nearly one in four surveyed high school students and nearly one in two surveyed middle school students who report ever having used to cannabis reported experiencing cannabis induced hallucinations, at least from time to time. A recent article in the Wall Street Journal was titled Legal Weed Feeds the teen mental health crisis. The science supports this statement. Supporting H.112 and H.113 and moving these bills forward is an important evidence based action step to youth exposure that will be a model for other states. Of note, I respectfully oppose H.3560 in favor of H.113 for similar reasons, that Ms. Quinn, stated as we've had many, many meetings with the cannabis control commission, I'd be happy to talk about process currently and what these bills would mean for what H.113 would mean for process, because we have been over this with a cannabis cannabis controlled commission from the very beginning. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
SPEAKER10 - Thank you for your time.
SPEAKER2 - Thank you, miss turn, turn cliff. I apologize.
SPEAKER4 - Yeah.
SPEAKER2 - Any questions for my colleagues? Seeing none. Miss Turncliff, thank you for your testimony, and have a great day.
TANKLEFF - Could I just add about, I think I mentioned I heard you mention that a special permit is acquired for billboard advertising?
GOMEZ - Well, to have billboards even come into a municipality. And if that law was to come into play, I would think my mind, if it was to cross into the house and to the senate, I would like to see more local accountability when it comes to sanctions and fines and like that. That was just a in opinion.
TANKLEFF - H.113 would prohibit all billboard advertising. And we request that because the Cannabis Control Commission is not enforcing, and I don't believe that they can enforce the law as it stands. And we have been over the data that they have provided, and they the expectation was that they were got to go on a case by case basis this. They were got to approve a billboard before it was allowed to go up. And right now, municipalities, the billboards appear based on what billboard or billboard space is already available. Right? So, the expectation was the Canvas Control Commission was going to approve the billboards after seeing the day data. And basically, the 85% rule is such that the no billboard on our roadways meets the 85% rule. So the data that the Cano Central Commission is getting is used for product sales and product marketing, but not more of a census data. Based on census data, we're looking at 25 to 35% underage. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
SPEAKER2 - Thank you. Before I move on, I have to we have to go online and hear someone that has a time restraint is, their name is Doctor.
SPEAKER4 - Hold on.
SPEAKER2 - What what's his name? Doctor Dennis Tihan, and then from there, we're got to here from my colleague, Senator Edwards, and take her out of turn. So, doctor, you have 3 minutes?
DENNIS TEEHAN - CONCERNED CITIZEN - HB 113 - Thank you very much, mister Chairman, and thank you to the members of the committee. A little bit about my background. My name is Dennis Teehan. I am a practicing primary care physician affiliated with Beth Israel Leahy, a graduate of Tufts Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health with concentration environmental health and also a select board member in Durham, for 10 years. I initially, I'm speaking today, I'm speaking in support of the bill to ban marijuana billboards. I was won a few years ago at the 47% of citizens, the Commonwealth that voted against marijuana legalization at the time. But what I've come to see over the last few years is that We can have a successful legal marijuana system in in Massachusetts, but I think, intrinsic to that important critical to that is that we have a scientifically accurate public health messaging that goes with that system.
And I would look at the think of the situation with marijuana and how it affects our bodies like a jigsaw puzzle. And there's like 50 pieces of a thousand piece puzzle down. And so we don't really know everything of what what's there. But what we can see, I think, is very concerning from the pieces we do dab down. And I think most specifically the neuropsychiatric arm, which are significant. If individuals are wondering where they can get a good summary of some of the health effects of THC, I would suggest looking at the American Heart Association, the journal Stroke released a, an article of position paper, in February 2022, summarizing some of the neuropsychiatric manifestations of marijuana use THC use, which is a great summit literature review. But the science is abundantly clear that even moderates marijuana use likely has some neuropsychiatric manifestations to it, mental health consequences, potentially cognitive issues, and various, affecting various neuropsychiatric parameters.
This all leads to structural and functional changes in the brain which is a fancy way of colloquial saying brain damage. How much and, is it permanent? What age does it begin? These are some of the real and unanswered questions thus far. Nonetheless, there are various health effects beyond neuropsychiatric that are also affected, cardiac gastrointestinal even stroke and cardiovascular disease into recent paper. But, we need to make sure that as we build the legal marijuana system in the state, that we give people accurate public health messaging and not make some of the same mistakes we made in the past with tobacco. The bottom line is there are many things in our civilization that are legal, that are harmful to you from cheeseburgers to tanning beds. Right? There are health consequences to all those things. But just like tobacco, We can have a legal marijuana system that safely and legally distributes it while providing scientifically accurate public health messaging to people.
And in that light, I think it's so critical that these billboards are banned because they are misleading people into associating health with the use of marijuana. And you can look up and down our state and see these when, in fact, the scientific literature is actually telling us the complete opposite and what I would encourage people to do as they look at this issue is to really erase your mind of decades, really, of product placement and what we see in movies and television. About that use and actually follow the scientific literature. And when you do, you see a picture that is actually pretty concerning for how this really affects people's brains more than anything else. And it's really popping off the page in a couple places, especially with health stuff, but those are sometimes the easiest things to see in studies too. Regardless, I would encourage you guys, I think an important step is to ban the billboards and really focus on making an accurate public health message, to people so that, the citizens can have, citizens of the Commonwealth can be informed on this issue. Thank you. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
SPEAKER2 - Thank you, doctor. Any questions for the doctor from our colleagues? Seeing none. Thank you, doctor.
SPEAKER7 - Thank you. Have a great day.
SEN EDWARDS - SB 49 - Thank you, chair. To chair, Gomez and other members of the committee. Good afternoon morning. Afternoon. Not sure. In any event, apologies. I'm here on, senate bill 49 and active facilitate labor peace agreements. Among the cannabis workforce. I want you to know that this is not a radical idea. This is actually something that's been adopted by many states already. Including our neighbor, Rhode Island, Delaware, Connecticut, New Jersey, Minnesota, New York, California. And this is a very basic ask of the one of the fastest growing industries, and that is that you will not stand in the way of workers trying to assure that they have dignified work, that they are paid decently, and that they can actually have a future in this industry. That is something that many, people get because they're in a union.
And we're asking this industry with this law actually demanding that this industry not commit, union bust which is what we see in so many other industries. This industry in Massachusetts has had extreme rapid growth in 2018. It really became the 1st legal sales since then, we have over $4,000,000,000 in revenue, gross revenue in the state. And we can learn from the lessons that we have from alcohol. We can learn from the lessons we have from tech driving companies that if you don't regulate to protect the workers, if you don't regulate to assure, good wages, you won't get them from the industry. So what we're asking is that we implement this and connect it to the license that if you are privileged, and that is what it is, privileged to be able to open and have a license in Massachusetts, that you will also not stand in the way of workers trying to organize your workers, I should say, specifically. It's not that complicated.
This is something that we should have done to begin with along with many of the goals and missions that are already consistent with equity. With undoing harm, or1672 the recognizing how the illicit market that grew in the black market1676 has actually put people in jail. This industry, this moment1680 is about repairing the past and helping to pay the better future. We think along racial lines absolutely along criminal justice lines. Absolutely. And now we're saying also for workers. So I hope that you will report this bill out favorably. Support the workers who are building essentially this $4,000,000,000 industry so far, and we're still in 2023. It'll exceed that. And, again, I will help you, and I wanted to thank my co sponsor. I believe he testified earlier. Representative Steve Owens for his support as well. And you will hear, of course, from UFCW and other members of, that have formed a statewide coalition in support of the workers. Thank you very much. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
SPEAKER2 - Thank you, Senator Edwards. Any of my colleagues have any questions for the senator? Seeing none, Senator. AdWords, thank you for being here and testifying.
SPEAKER9 - Thank you.
SPEAKER2 - She didn't know what the legislator here. Okay. So, we're got to move on to bill H113, Patrick Joseph Kearney, and act relative to pro prohibitive pro prohabiting. Why am I having a tongue twister right now.
Prohibitting doing it again. You guys1761 get it. Billboard advertisements of nonprescription,
marijuana. We heard a couple folks testify I'm going to go through the list. We have Theresa Hodgins. Theresa Hodgins, you have 3 minutes.
So now we have our trusty little clock up now.
SPEAKER9 - Okay.
SPEAKER2 - So I don't have to, commander, you have the floor.
TERESA HIGGINS - CONCERNED CITIZEN - HB 113 - Good morning. My name is Theresa Hoggins, and I'm from Harvard, Massachusetts. I'm the mother of five children, and I'm testifying in support of H.113 and act relative to prohibiting billboard advertisements of nonprescription marijuana. April 23 1999 was an important day in the lives of children across America. It was the day on which every tobacco industry billboard advertisement in the United States had to be taken down. That was nearly 25 years ago. Why were tobacco billboards prohibited across the United States? According to the campaign for tobacco free kids website, tobacco billboards promote images that are proven to be effective with children and contribute to their misperception that smoking and tobacco use is a normal acceptable part of everyday life.
In the last few years, there's been a proliferation of cannabis billboard advertisements on the roadways across Massachusetts. I brought with me two examples of cannabis billboards to displayed on a highway in Massachusetts. Cannabis for everyone. This is an example of a cannabis billboard that was on I-91 North in Springfield. It's a net advertisement and big bold lettering that is1861 visible from the highway for any kid to1863 see as the car is driving by. What message is cannabis for everyone saying to kids? Life is better with cannabis. Is a cannabis billboard that was on I-91 in Northampton? It's a liberty advertisement in big bold lettering that is visible from the highway for any kid to see as the car is driving by. What message is life better with cannabis saying to kids.
Both billboards are contributing to the misperception that cannabis use is a normal acceptable part of everyday life. Why is this1893 a problem? The earlier someone starts using cannabis, the higher the risk of addiction, and the higher the risk of developing a cannabis use disorder. People with cannabis use disorder are unable to stop using cannabis despite it causing negative consequences in their lives. I have personally witnessed heartbreak of a cannabis use disorder in my family. On May 4th, 2023, the National Institute of Health issued a news release on their website stating that young men with cannabis use disorder have an increased risk of developing schizophrenia according to a large study led by researchers in Denmark.
The study detailed health records data spanning five decades and representing more than 6,000,000 people. Researchers found strong evidence of an association between cannabis use disorder and schizophrenia among men and women. The study authors estimated that as many as 30% of cases of schizophrenia among men aged 21 to 30 might have been prevented by averting cannabis use disorder. The author the authors emphasize that cannabis use disorder appears to be a major, modifiable risk factor for schizophrenia, particularly among young men. Cannabis use disorder in schizophrenia are serious mental health disorders that can profoundly to the relative to prohibiting billboard advertisements of nonprescription marijuana. Thank you. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
SPEAKER2 - Thank you, Theresa Hudgins. Any questions? Seeing none. Thank you for your testimony, ma'am.
K.
We're going to hear H114 and act relative to employment protections for medical marijuana patients sponsored by Michael P. Kushmerick.
Seeing no one in person to testify. We will wait until there's any testimony on virtual, once we're done with everybody in person, we're got to move forward to H115 and act to facilitate labor piece among the cannabis workforce. And because it has a senate sponsor, which is Senator Lydia Edwards S 49, I'm going to hear from folks that are here to testify for H115 and S49. So I will be calling you as I see your name. I have Harry Jean Jacques Jacques.
S 449.
Sir, you have 3 minutes.
SPEAKER13 - Thank you for your time. Hello?
SPEAKER2 - Not a problem. Welcome.
HARRY JEAN JACQUES - BIG HOPE PROJECT - HB 49 - Distinguished members of the joint cannabis policy committee. Hello. My name is Harry Jean Jacques. I'm here to express my strong support for senate bill 49 and then act to facilitate labor peace among cannabis2089 workforce. As the founder of Big Hope Project and Nonprofit Organization, dedicated to bridging the gap between communities were partially impacted by the war on drugs and providing them with resources for social equity expungement in course opportunities in the cannabis industry. I firmly believe that this bill is2112 crucial step towards creating a fair and ex exclusive, inclusive cannabis workforce, having worked as both a cannabis worker and an organizer involved in implementing local municipal equity2124 orderings in Massachusetts. I have witnessed firsthand the challenge faced by individuals from marginalized communities and access and accessing opportunities within the cannabis industry.
The war on drugs has led to unjust convictions, limited economic prospects, and a lack of representation in the legal cannabis market. Senate bill, 49 addresses these issues by promoting labor and peace and ensuring that workers in the cannabis industry in particular, the most vulnerable ones have a voice and fair working conditions. one of the key aspects of this bill is its focus on labor peace agreements. These agreements facilitate communication and cooperation between employers and employees leading to a harmonious working environment. I require Canvas employers to enter into labor peace agreements. This bill promotes stability and fairness within the industry. It ensures that workers have the opportunity to organize and collectively bargain. Protecting their rights and addressing any potential grievances or disputes. Moreover, the passage of Senate Bill 49 will have a profound impact on increasing African American Leadership
And Ownership of Independence Industry, which is surely needed. Historically, Melinated communities have been more adversely affected by the war on drugs, and they continue to face significant barriers and acts assessing ownership and leadership roles in the legal cannabis market. By promoting labor piece and allowing workers to unionize this bill would empower African American workers to collective voice and2224 advocate for their rights. Union2226 representation will provide a platform for those purposes excluded from the Green Rush2230 address systematic inequities and, advocate for fear, hiring practices, and work towards amplifying African American ownership and leadership positions within the industry. This will not only create economic opportunities, but also foster a sense of empowerment and self determination within these communities.
As someone who worked for a local carpentry trade union, and then later social equity business in Worcester. And also, MSO, a Multi-State Operator in Brock often, I have experienced a stark contrast in working conditions and opportunities within employers at an ant universe pro union. The lack of labor peace and unionization, and that MSO resulted in a significant power imbalance, leaving workers vulnerable, a collective voice. They were made targets after word got out to management of our organizing. And, interestingly enough, the so called social equity company where I where I was quiet fired, and intentionally left off the schedule because of the same thing, you know, because of that about. I was forced to, you know, find new employment. As a final addition in light of recent revelations from state of California surrounding topic of fake cannabis labor unions guys as bona fide labor organizations.
I believe it is critical. That, Bill S 49 must update its language specifically online item 14 regarding the definition of labor organization changing it from may be characterized to shall be characterized by the 5 listed stipulations defining a labor organization as outlined in line 16 to 26. This effort to ensure Massachusetts canvas labor unions are truly within the nature of organizing, representing cannabis workers, and to prevent false interest from subverting the intent of the import legislation. In conclusion, I firmly believe that the Senate bill at 49 would help level the playing field by promoting labor across the industry and ensuring that all workers are treated with dignity and respect regardless of the size or type of their employer. Thank you. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
SPEAKER2 - Thank you, Mister Jean Jacques. Any questions for the gentleman? Seeing none. Thank you for your testimony. Next, we're got to hear from Chrissy Lynch And just a quick reminder, we're going to enforce 3 minute rule. I will be 30 seconds lenient if, you're in the middle of your testimony. I I like to hear all of you guys out, but if you guys can really keep it to the 3 minutes, I would appreciate it. So, Chrissy, you have the floor. You have 3 minutes, ma'am.
CHRISSY LYNCH - MASSACHUSETTS AFL-CIO - HB 115 - SB 49 - Thank you, chair Gomez, vice chair, Consalvo, and members of the committee. Thank you for the opportunity to you before you today. My name is Chrissy Lynch. I'm the chief of staff and secretary treasurer of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO, where we represent nearly half a million union members across state in a whole variety of sectors, including the budding cannabis industry in Massachusetts. We think that we should be doing everything we can to ensure that new industries in our state operate with the highest possible standards for workers and communities. As rep Owens pointed out, the cannabis industry in Massachusetts already has over 200 establishments. It's already grossed over $5,000,000,000 in revenue, yet the attorney general's fair labor division has already, signed cannabis companies thousands of dollars for violations of our existing state labor laws.
We are also aware of very serious health and safety violations at various growth facilities in Western Mass resulting in the tragic death of a worker. It's a very basic fact that unions improve wages and benefits that stimulate our local economies and support hardworking families. But they also dramatically improve working conditions, creating much safer workplaces. All workers deserve the right to organize into a union, and especially in, industries like this one, the protections that come with the unionized workplace are really important. That's why we are so strongly supporting house bill 115 incentive bill 49 and active facilitate labor peace among the cannabis work Force. This bill would require, as a condition of licensure.
That marijuana establishments enter2483 into labor peace agreements that would allow union organized to communicate with employees to inform them of their rights without interference of the employer. And in return, the union would not engage in picketing or work stoppage feels like a pretty fear deal. Cannabis workers around the country are proudly represented by organized labor. Including hundreds of employees in Massachusetts in every aspect of the operation and from agriculture, production, and processing, to delivery and, at sales across the counter. We encourage you to please report these bills out favorably, to get these us workers a real voice on the job, and thank you for your continued efforts to guide this important policy in shape the still developing industry. Thank you. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
SPEAKER2 - Thank you, ma'am. Any questions for me, miss Howard? Seeing none. Thank you for your testimony.
SPEAKER14 - Thank you.
SPEAKER2 - Take care. Next up, we have Gabriel Camacho.
Gabriel Camacho. How you doing, sir?
You have the floor. 3 minutes. Thank you. No problem.
GABRIEL CAMACHO - UNITED FOOD AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS - SB 49 - HB 115 - Good morning. Chairs Gomez and Donahue. Congratulations to chair Donahue and members of join committee on cannabis policy. I want to thank you for allowing me to provide testimony this morning. My name is Gabriel Camacho. I am the political director for United food and commercial workers local to 1445. I am testifying today in support of H.115 and S.49 that would facilitate a labor peace agreement in the cannabis industry. UFCW cannabis members can be found across multiple states in all aspects of the industry, from seed to sale. Over the past2581 decade, UFCW has helped tens of thousands of cannabis workers gain union2585 rights. Local 1445 and its sister locals represent over a 1000 cannabis workers in the Commonwealth in Massachusetts. Commonwealth of Massachusetts, from agriculture, production, and processing, delivery, and in medical and recreational dispensaries.
Labor Peace agreements ensure workers can choose to form a union in a neutral environment without employer interference. When workers are allowed to make their own decision about rep representation by union, free from coercion, they choose to form unions at a far higher rate. This is especially true for people of color. Unions have been a historical and effective vehicle for marginalized communities to reach the middle class. In, a main goal of policy of cannabis policy lawmakers and regulators is equity. To right the wrong of the so called war on drugs. Our cannabis collective bargaining agreements not only contains superior wages and benefits, but equally important, so called, non economic provisions, such as non discrimination clauses, grievance and arbitration, health and safety committees, advancement that respects seniority and shop floor union representation. Union con contracts generate generational wealth that has been denied to marginalized communities.
The NAACP here in Boston2666 most recently passed an emergency res resolution on behalf of cannabis workers supporting UFCW priorities in the cannabis industry. The emergency res resolution on behalf of cannabis workers includes labor peace agreements as a condition of licensure. Labor peace agreements for the cannabis industry are already in place in several states, including our neighboring New York New Jersey, Rhode Island, and Connecticut. Higher wages in our communities mean more tax dollars are spent in local businesses and more tax dollars will stay in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Union Canvas jobs provide good family sustaining wages benefits while generating spending in local communities and supporting a robust economy. And behalf of all the workers in the cannabis industry and especially those in our UFCW family. I urge you to report out favorably H.115 and S 49. Thank you. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
SPEAKER4 - Before
you
SPEAKER2 - end and act to allow students access, prescription canvass, sending the grant in there.
Senator Moran, are you there?
SEN MORAN - SB 59 - I am. I appreciate this opportunity. And I apologize for not being there in person. I'm in the district in Plimpton. So this this issue is incredibly important and thank you to both chairs. For, the opportunity to testify today. Since medical marijuana use was legalized in 2012, thousands of patients across the Commonwealth have been able to effectively utilize treatment under proper medical supervision. And this includes school age children. Many of whom, medical marijuana treatment has enabled them live more easily in their conditions. However, Massachusetts law still contains a restriction on the use and type marijuana including medical in schools or on school grounds. And this prevents significant issues for students who are prescribed medical marijuana, but are unable to take their prescriptions during the many hours each weekday that they are at school.
Senate 59 and act to allow students access to prescription cannabis fixes that issue. The bill would remove the restriction on possession and consumption of medical marijuana in schools and on school grounds. Medical marijuana would be treated similarly to other prescription drugs. It should be carefully regulated and prescribed to buy a physician, but those with prescriptions should be able to take their medical marijuana when and where they need it. It's worth noting that the vast majority of medical marijuana prescribed to school age children comes to the form of pills. This bill wouldn't transform elementary schools into any sort of college freshman dorm situation as has been alleged. This bill was originally included in the Omnibus legislation that was passed last session but was eventually vetoed.
I look forward to working with the committee to passing something workable here to ensure that many school age children who have prescribed medical marijuana are able to take their important prescription medication while at school. And I just want to know parenthetically that I've done respite care for families when I was in the, psych and mental health field before I was a lawyer and certainly before I was a senator and some parents have to stop their work day and drive occasionally its hours to the school to be able to just give their child the medicine that allows them to enjoy the school and to have an academic experience where they can excel. And so this is very important to many, many families in Massachusetts. And again, thank you so much for this opportunity. And sorry, I couldn't get the camera working. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
SPEAKER2 - Thank you so much, Senator Moran. Any questions from my colleagues seeing none? Have a great day. Thank you for testifying.
SPEAKER16 - Thank you, Chairs.
SPEAKER2 - Alright. We have, as 49. David Shoch.
Yeah. Sure. Hello. Thank you. No problem. Take your time.
SPEAKER17 - It's been happening a lot today.
SPEAKER2 - It's happening. It's alright.
SPEAKER17 - Thank you.
SPEAKER2 - David, you have 3 minutes.
DAVID JEAN-JACQUES - BIG HOPE PROJECT - SB 49 - Thank you. Dear honorable members of the Senate, I stand before you here today as David Jean-Jacques, a licensed social worker, an executive director of the Big Hope Project, a 501C3 nonprofit, Our primary purpose is to bridge the gap between disadvantaged communities and resources to social equity, expungement, and workforce opportunities. I am compelled to express my unwavering support estate labor piece among the cannabis workforce.3035 And as a licensed social worker serving marginalized communities over the past 10 years, I've witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of the war on drugs as torn families of parts, pepper per, empowered cycles of poverty and violence and disproportionately targeted African Americans and minorities.
The community legalization of cannabis was supposed to present us with a unique opportunity to write these wrongs and rectify and justices of the past and to build a more equitable future. Yet, if you see the statistics, illustrating the ratio of minority owners and executives in the Street, we owned less than 10% of the green rush after seven years of legalization. Senate bill 49 is a crucial step towards achieving that vision of equity. By facilitating labor peace among the cannabis workforce, this bill ensures that the individuals who have been most impacted by the war on drugs have a seat at the table and can help shape this growing industry. Bill 49 also recognizes the importance of empowering workers protecting their rights and curating an environment that fosters peace and stability.
In the work that we do at the nonprofit organization, big hope, we strive to empower individuals who have been impacted by the drug war by providing them with education, job training, and direct aid. People from the community have incredible resilience and potential when given access to opportunity. Senate Bill 49 will help countless more individuals realize their full potential and lift them out the shadows and into the light of economic empowerment. Would like I would lastly like to request the addition of a language change online item 14 regarding the definition of a labor organization from may be characterized, to shall be characterized by the five listed stipulations defining a labor organization and as and that's outlined online 16 to 26.
That will safeguard genuine representation of the cannabis workers with legitimate cannabis unions. And in conclusion, I implore you the joint committee to pass Senate Bill 49 in efforts to seize this historic opportunity to right the wrongs of the past to build an industry that is grounded in equity and opportunity and to create a future where all individuals, regardless of their background, can thrive. By supporting this bill, you will be taking a significant step towards justice, fairness, and opportunity for communities that have been closed to the pain, but need to be closest to the power. Thank you for your commitment and to a to a more equitable society. I'm David Jean-Jacques, executive director of the Big Hope project. Thank you. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
SPEAKER2 - Thank you, Jamie. Thank you.
SPEAKER17 - Thank you. Have a good day. Thank you.
SPEAKER4 - To H125
SPEAKER2 - open continue all for marijuana. Because I have doctor Denise,
SPEAKER18 - I'm speaking on 2. I prefer to keep them separate because they're very different.
DENISE - CONCERNED CITIZEN - HB 123 - HB 3557 - First, thank you. It's exciting to see the changes in Massachusetts and the evolution of cannabis. Just for background information, I grew up in Oregon. I grew up in the sixties seventies. Cannabis was, decriminalized in 1972. So it was part of my culture. I offer that simply because many people, because I talk about public safety, assume I'm anti cannabis,3277 that's far from the truth. one of the things that is a serious, problem with cannabis is impaired driving. In full disclosure, I currently own a company that researches only cannabis impaired driving. We are federally funded recognized and have an institutional review board approved protocol, that's being undertaken in the state of Massachusetts.
I am also, the first, but not the only candidate, that is a social equity owned business. I am the social equity business owner in application for a research license. I support efforts that enable us to better control3321 and eliminate impaired driving, that means not having products readily available to anybody in the car and, in particularly, the driver. I do think this language in this bill, while I'm supportive, could be cleaned up a little bit, because it infers, indirectly edible consumption. Any product in any form that could be consumed needs to be considered an open container and not allowed in any way accessible to both the driver and the passenger near the driver I support this. And, again, it's exciting to see some of the changes in Massachusetts. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
Sure. Are they both in 3 they're separate 3 minutes, though? Okay.
DENISE - 3557, I oppose this. I in spirit, support research on cannabis. However, if you flip through, there are many problems control full authority over the administration of $10,000,000 for research purposes. There are a couple of issues that are very pronounced. There's no real firm discussion that the research needs to be medically sound, scientific evidence based. I think the word medical should be removed because there are many concerns with cannabis We heard some of them from the previous speakers regarding harm. So I think the language needs to talk about not just medical use, but the safe and efficacy use of marijuana or cannabinoids in the treatment of disease as well as talking about the negative consequences such as organ toxicity, an increase in intraocular pressure, cognitive dysfunction, sensory impairment, hyperimmunocysts, and cannabis use disorder. I would suggest strike glaucoma because there is evidence based medicine that there's no efficacy for glaucoma, and there are better treatments. On the other hand, having been a researcher in the field of Alzheimer's.
Unlike adolescent use where there's harm, the degenerating brain actually benefits from cannabis. So those are the things we need to look at. I also think there needs to be protection of humans. There's no discussion on how these groups will be vetted. But one thing to start with is that no funds should be re re released to any group looking at humans without they're clearly demonstrating that they have gone through the required coursework that most federal funding does have for research on human subject protection. Additionally, federal money generally doesn't get released until there is an already in place existing institutional review board approved protocol. We are, as a company, are not required to have a license for what we do. We do research in Massachusetts. We are federally funded. We've been funded by National institutes of Health And National Institutes of Justice. We clearly understand quality research, and then the questionable research that can occur the way this particular bill is written. Thank you. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
SPEAKER2 - Thank you, ma'am, for your testimony. See if she doesn't want to
SPEAKER4 - ask questions. We're
SPEAKER2 - got to move online. We have taken out a
order We have Senator Julian Cyr. He is going to be testifying on s 48 and act relative to cannabis use by first
responders. Welcome Senator's here. It's good to see you.
SEN CYR - SB 48 - Good to see you, Cher Gomez, here. Thank you so much for, the opportunity to testify. On Senate Bill 48, an act related to cannabis used by first responders. So I've had several conversations, with police officers, in in my district, about, you know, their desire, to, potentially be able to use cannabis, first for medical purposes and then, recreationally, but of course, there significant existing barriers for, first responders, to use cannabis. There are both state and federal requirements and so, of course, they are, are hesitant and, partake. And so after those conversations, this, this led me to file, file this bill, so that we can investigate the barriers, to first responders legal write to use cannabis in the Commonwealth. So the bill directs the cannabis control commission in consultation with the EOPSS to study and report on this complicated issue.
Specifically it outlines that the Cannabis Control Commission research and provide analysis on current drug testing requirements for police and first responders, the internal policies of local police departments and first responders related to cannabis use, the authority of police chiefs to set these policies the requirements of state and federal license to carry laws, which may be a barrier here, laws policies and practices regarding cannabis use by police officers first responders in other states and jurisdictions. And perhaps most importantly, the advocacy of using cannabis for treating anxiety, depression, stress, post traumatic stress disorder and other traumas. The bill also allows the commission and EOPSS to consult with experts and hold public meetings. You know, I really believe, you know, as we move away from cannabis prohibition, we should ensure that we don't hold on to preexisting bias driven bans.
This bill doesn't sort of change existing law or this bill wouldn't allow police officers and first responders necessarily use cannabis today. But it seeks a better understanding of this issue. You know, look, our first responders police officers, have pretty high stress jobs. Many of our letters and colleagues also have pretty high stress jobs and partake and rely on cannabis. I certainly do, and many, many of my colleagues that I know do. So I think this is an issue that we should be studying. We should be looking at and potentially provide some benefits. So, and really that our first responders and police officers, really should be treated fairly when it comes to cannabis policy. So that's the bill. I'm glad to take any questions you may have. It's really good to see you. And, you know, if the committee has any questions, I'm glad to answer them. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
SPEAKER2 - Thank you, Senator Sierry. Any questions for my colleagues? Seeing none. I sent it to SEER. Have a great day. Thank you for your testimony.
SPEAKER19 - You too. Appreciate it. Thank you.
SPEAKER20 - Bye bye.
SPEAKER2 - Here in person, our last person in person before we go virtual, virtual folks hang tight. I am going to get to you. I promise We have Christina Belendez S 49. Christina, welcome. You have 3 minutes.
SPEAKER21 - As well, so that might be.
SPEAKER2 - Say that again, ma'am?
SPEAKER21 - I signed up virtually as well, so that probably is me there on the virtual end.
SPEAKER2 - Alright. You can we'll get to this one first, and then we'll get to the next one after. Alright. Fair enough.
SPEAKER9 - Thank you. Yes, sir. Alright. Thank you.
KRISTINA MELENDEZ - CANNABIS CONTROL COMMISSION - SB 49 - HB 115 - Honorable members of the joint committee on cannabis policy. I am Kristina Melendez, a lifelong resident of Dorchester, a member of the cannabis control commission social equity program, cohort three, and a representative of the Big Hope project. I'm here today to support Senate Bill 49, also known as an act to facilitate labor peace among the cannabis workforce. And to emphasize its importance in facilitating the full participation and benefit of communities disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs in the legal cannabis industry. As a woman of African descent, I have seen firsthand how the war on drugs has disproportionately impacted communities of color, resulting in unjust criminalization, incarceration, and economic disadvantage.
I believe Senate Bill 49 is a crucial step forward in addressing these injustices by ensuring that those3820 most affected by the warrant drugs have a fair chance to build wealth3824 and prosperity in the emerging cannabis industry. Senate Bill 49 recognizes that true equity requires more than just ending prohibition. Acknowledges that communities that have borne the brunt of the war on drugs should have a seat at the table and the opportunity to organize, negotiate fair wages, and access opportunities upward mobility. By establishing labor peace agreements, Senate Bill 49 creates an environment that facilitates the full participation of workers, particularly those from marginalized communities. The full participation of communities was reportedly impacted in the legal cannabis industry is not just about economic empowerment, but also justice and reconciliation.
It is about acknowledging the harm caused by decades of discrimination policies and actively working towards repairing the damage. By providing a platform for these communities to engage in the industry, we can break the cycle of systemic and quality and create a more inclusive and equitable society. Furthermore, the inclusion of communities disproportionally impacted by the war on drugs in the legal cannabis industry is not only morally right, but also economically beneficial. These communities bring unique perspectives, talents, and cultural heritage that can contribute to the vibrancy and success of the industry. By harnessing the untapped potential of these communities, we can foster innovation, create jobs, and generate economic growth that benefits all of Massachusetts. I'll lastly request the commune committee consider the language change online item 14 regarding the definition of a labor organization from may be characterized to shall be characterized.
By the five listed stipulations to finding a labor organization as outlined in lines 16 through 26. This change is to prevent undermining the intent of this legislation by ensuring the labor organizations are truly dedicated to serving the interests of the cannabis workforce. In summary, Senate Bill 49 is a vital piece of legislation that establishes labor peace agreements and facilitates the full participation in benefit communities this portionally impacted by the war on drugs in the legal cannabis industry. By supporting this legislation, we can make significant strides towards justice, equity, and economic empowerment I respectfully urge the members of this committee to support Senate Bill 49 and to champion the rights opportunities and prosperity of communities proportionally impacted by the warrant drugs. Together, we can shape a legislative landscape that fosters true equity, reconciliation, and a brighter future for all. Thank you for your attention and consideration. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
SPEAKER2 - We don't have you on the list for the next bill, but what bill was it that you said that
SPEAKER21 - you No. It was the same bill.
SPEAKER2 - It was the same
SPEAKER21 - bill?
SPEAKER2 - Alright. Well, any questions for Christina? Seeing none. Christina, thank you for your testimony.
SPEAKER21 - Thank you.
SPEAKER2 - We really appreciate it. We're going to
SPEAKER7 - oh, hold on.
SPEAKER2 - I'm going to move virtually And virtually, every okay.
4013 Before4013 I move virtually, is there anybody here present that signed up virtually but came in person.
Seeing no 1. Alright. Great. Just want to make sure that everybody here is in person. It's spoken. Fantastic. Fantastic. Alright. So now we're got to move into virtually. We have a list of folks I'm going to go try to go through them as we've heard the bills already and then get to the bills that we have not heard. Please bear with me. Folks online, if you're here to testify in a couple bills, I'm going to hold you still to 3 minutes. So please try to be brief and be concise on your testimony. Grant Smith Ellis, are you with us still?
Grant Smith Ellis, all right, moving on.
Cat Allen. Kat Allen, are you here?
Moving on.
SPEAKER5 - Yes. I'm here.
SPEAKER2 - Oh, you're here? Okay. I see you. Kat Allen, you're here to testify on behalf of H112, H113. You have 3 minutes, ma'am.
KAT ALLEN - COMMUNITIES THAT CARE COALITION - HB 112 - HB 113 - Okay. Thank you so much. Good morning. And it seems to you thank you to the chairs4101 and members of the joint commission for your time4103 listening to a comment. My name is Kat Allen, and for 20 years, I've been the coordinator of the communities that care Coalition, which is, works to promote youth health, well-being, and health equity in Franklin County in, and the North Cabin in Western Massachusetts. The bills that you are considering today are very important to our coalition members and our communities. Our recent did vote strongly in favor of cannabis legalization, but we had reason to believe that Massachusetts would put smart regulations in place to prevent over the top commercialization of recreational cannabis. But unfortunately, that isn't what we've seen.
We're seeing cannabis billboards all over our towns, including next to school, next to park, on bike paths,4149 on downtown streets, and of course, on highways. We're also seeing events promoting and celebrating cannabis advertised as family friendly and all ages and lots of, families bringing their children to these events. I regularly talk to parents who are4165 upset about what we're seeing. In general, our communities are not in favor of this, and this was not what they were expecting. Any parent knows our kids learn to read on billboards. We're changing norms in a way that harmful to young people. Our coalition surveys thousands of youth each year, and we are seeing changes in norms and beliefs around cannabis, including that students feel that it's, more accessible to the community that students feel that it's less risky than they used to feel. And this has a real effect on youth health. I hope you will support a ban on cannabis billboards as well as youth entry into events promoting cannabis. Thank you. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
SPEAKER2 - Thank you so much for your testimony.
We're going to Duane Harding. Duane Harden, are you still here with us?
SPEAKER22 - Yes, sir.
SPEAKER2 - Alright, Duane Harden. I know you were assigned for two bills, but you have 3 minutes to, to testify. Duane Harden, you have the floor 3 minutes, sir.
SPEAKER22 - Okay. Actually, I'm imposing bills, 81113, h3358, h3560, and h3750.
SPEAKER2 - You still have 3 minutes, sir. Go ahead.
SPEAKER4 - Okay. Yeah.
DUANE HARDEN - CONCERNED CITIZEN - HB 113 - HB 3560 - HB 3750 - We have the 1st social equity, LGBTQ certified, an MBE, company to achieve final life things in marijuana, delivery operating in Western Massachusetts. We began selling cannabis on March 2nd and thank the Commonwealth for its great work to make it for a company like ours to, equitably participate in the legal cannabis industry. If you're not familiar with the marijuana delivery operator license type, think of us as like the Amazon and We or DoorDash or Uber Eats. The customer goes on a licensing website and orders adult use, marijuana for home delivery. We purchased products, wholesale, and warehouse those products so that they can be sold at retail on our website. We're not open to the public and our company delivery vehicles are on mark. Since the creation of this license type, there have been over 35 applicants, hydro, as of today, only seven have commenced operation.
The regulations make it near nearly impossible to open and stay in business. COVID shed light on the fact that home delivery is important. And now with the shift in our culture, deliveries here to stay. I testified that your June hearing session that although we can only sell adult use marijuana as the only licensee in our area, we have a lot of medical patients who have challenges getting to a dispensary to purchase medical marijuana so they order recreational from us and even have even with having to pay the taxes. I testified that the least the Commonwealth can do right now is to allow medical patients to purchase adult use and not be charged to taxes. As an operator, the current challenges we have in advertising is very detrimental that we are just moments away from4342 going out of business as I speak to you today. The Commonwealth did a great job at getting the word out to get voters to legalize recreational use of marijuana.
Pavelid has done nothing to inform the public that they can now order legal cannabis and get it delivered to their home. In fact, if you go to the CCC's website and click on final retail and upper left, none of the delivery operator are listed as a provider. Customers think we are a scam as they have been scammers, in the black, black market that take payments electronically, and people don't get their product. We are forbidden from advertising on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, all the social media platforms and advertising outlets. Did this billboards are the only way at the moment that we can get the word out. We've been told by, as an e commerce business, you know, that can only advertise e commerce We don't have the benefit and luxury of being brick and mortar location. We've been told by these, social media platforms that until it's federalized, we are banned from advertising. So billboards are the only way, and we hope that the Commonwealth, makes it easier as opposed to imposing more legislation. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
SPEAKER2 - Thank you, Duane. I appreciate your testimony.
SPEAKER22 - Thank you.
SPEAKER2 - Moving on, we have David Jernigan, H113. David, are you with us?
SPEAKER4 - Caroline Johnson,
SPEAKER2 - PhD,
H
111. Dennis Tien.
Dennis TN, H113.
Your testify nurse? Moving on.
SPEAKER10 - Caroline Johnson is here.
SPEAKER2 - Alright, Kara. Caroline Johnson. You may begin. You have 3 minutes, ma'am.
CAROLINE JOHNSON - STRATEGIC PLANNING INITIATIVE FOR FAMILIES AND YOUTH - HB 113 - Great. Thank you. My name is Caroline Johnson, and I am a researcher at SPIFFY, which stands for the Strategic Planning Initiative for Families And Youth. SPIFFY is a youth substance misuse prevention coalition. Our work is based the collaborative for educational services in North Hampton, Mass, and we serve all of Hampshire County. I have a PhD in applied social psychology and a background in public health youth substance misuse and youth health risk behavior more generally. Thank you all for your time today.
I'm here today to share some local youth data regarding billboards. I'm not here to comment on any particular bill. In April of 2023, SPIFFY administered a youth health survey to over 2300 a 10th and 12th graders in Hampshire County. One question asked students where they have seen cannabis advertising. The most common response was billboards. Specifically almost two and 3 students for court seeing cannabis advertising via this platform. The survey also asked students how often they report seeing cannabis advertising. Almost half say that they see cannabis advertising a few times per week or every day. This is up 31% in just one year since 2022. In other words, more and more teens are being exposed to cannabis advertising on frequent basis
. This matters because peer reviewed research shows that adolescents who frequently see billboards and advertising for cannabis are more likely to engage in cannabis use. In fact, one study found that compared with youth who never saw bill board or storefront ads those who reported seeing them most of the time are always had seven times the odds of frequent cannabis use and nearly 6 times the odds of having symptoms of cannabis use disorder. Big tobacco alcohol and now cannabis companies are acutely aware of just how impactful advertising is. That's why they've poured billions of dollars into marketing. Yes. Cannabis advertising a bounce in Hampshire County and the data are clear that youth most certainly notice. Thank you for your time. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
SPEAKER2 - Thank you so much. Nicholas Hathaway,
SPEAKER23 - Hello there.
SPEAKER2 - How you doing, Nicholas? Welcome. You have 3 minutes. You may begin.
NICHOLAS HATHAWAY - FRANKLIN REGIONAL COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS - HB 111 - HB 113 - HB 3558 - HB 3560 - HB 3750 - Wonderful. So thank you to the chairs and the members of the community for holding this hearing and for the opportunity to testify.4620 My name is Nick Hathaway. I am, the evaluation coordinator for the communities of CARE Coalition. She's part of the Franklin Regional Council of Governments. My role is collecting and analyzing data for youth in our community. This testimony is probably for, H.111, H.1138, H3560, and H.3750, all of which apply to restricting cannabis, billboards in Massachusetts. And to be clear, I am testifying the support of those. The harmful effects of cannabis advertising on youth are well documented, and, as, others testifying have covered I think that's really clear.
What I believe is much less commonly understood and is critical to understanding this whole context is that the data they're used to meet the current regulation. It is under understanding those. And that's, the current regulation of being that, cannabis billboard need to have an audience composed, at least 85%, 21 plus, individuals. It's really important to understand that the audience compensation data are not objective empirical measurements of the locations of the billboards. They're predictions, based on characteristics the environment. It's a much in the same way that we produce, weather based on, at, conditions in the atmosphere, people try to predict, the audience of a billboard based on things like the demographics of people living and working in neighborhood.
Unfortunately though, these predictions have several flaws and aren't really as robust as you might, you might think. For 1, the models, people move in and out of neighborhoods all the time. They're not just static looking at their windows and bill and another thing is that that they largely do not account for things like school zones or parks where youth don't live or work, but regularly congregate. And even more advanced models that might attempt to do the same things, you know, they might use GPS tracking data from smartphones, but that's largely bias for adults. You know, children under 10 truly don't have cell phones. And so there's datasets that that, try to predict the movements of people based on their age. Are really have a huge, huge blind spot to youth in particular. So while an audience composition, may be predicted at 90+%,4764 21 plus individuals.
That really only means that there's, that there's no evidence that children are4770 a big part of that billboard. Audience, but absence of evidence is strictly not evidence of absence. So my point is that the data there are you to meet these criteria, for the 85% minimum, are simply not scientifically appropriate for, ensuring a minimally minimal youth audience. And lack of more reliable data. I primarily recommend an outright ban on cannabis billboards. But that said, each of bills, that are related to cannabis builders here could adjust, for some of these shortcomings, and I urge the committee to release them all the favorable recommendations to protect the kids growing up around them. I've included written testimony as well and encourage anyone to, to reach out to me with any other questions and sincerely thank you for, your time. Integration. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
SPEAKER2 - Thank you. Thank you for your testimony. Next, we have
SPEAKER20 - was was that Alvega? Sorry. I I was having trouble hearing you there.
SPEAKER2 - Said that I honestly thought it was a Vega. So Alvega. Okay. Great.
AL VEGA - MASSACHUSETTS COALITION FOR OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH - SB 49 - HB 115 - Thank you so much. My name is Al Vega. I'm the chief of strategy and engagement at MassCOSH, the Massachusetts Coalition for Occupational Safety And Health. And we are here to support SB 49, HB 115, and act to facilitate labor among cannabis workforce. We believe that every worker deserves a safe workplace when they can get fair wages and benefits regardless of the type of work they do and are able to turn home free of workplace injury or illness. As we continue to deal with the fallout of the COVID-nineteen pandemic, we hope that you're here today, especially the stories of those, who are in the experiences of low wage, retail, and manufacturing workers, in particular, those in the cannabis industry and how laws can help we build that more sustainable and responsive economy.
Labor lease agreements for LPAs are needed in the cannabis industry are becoming increasingly common in states and regions where it's becoming legal for both medical and recreational use. LPA's peaceful and cooperative labor relations between cannabis business and their employees. They're used in an attempt to avoid major labor disputes, strikes, and anything that might negatively affect business operations. In some jurisdictions, LPAs are required by law as a condition for obtaining or renewing cannabis business licenses and to ensure that that business is following labor laws. Workers have a right to4918 unionize, and these agreements allow labor unions and organizers to4922 be able to communicate with workers on-site and to conduct education session to inform them about the rights, what it means to become part of a union and the benefits.
Many organizing drives fail because employers good at sharing disinformation. And then LPA may include a plaza, will require employers to remain neutral. And not engage in anti union activities during those efforts. LPAs often include provisions that prohibit retaliation, another common employer tactic to end union drives against employees who engage in these activities or support those efforts. This can protect employees from being fired or otherwise punish simply for being involved. Occupational safety and health in the cannabis industry is also an area that LPA's have created opportunities to create comprehensive safety and health recommendations and policies that can protect workers, consumers, and the environment. Hazardous, chemicals like pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals common in this industry, and workers need to be educated about the potential health risks associated with handling cannabis.
Including skin and eye or They may also be exposed to dust mold and other airborne contaminants in cultivation and processing facilities where adequate respiratory protection ventilation is also needed. Heat stress ergonomics fire and electrical safety as well as workplace violence are just some of the other hazards that need to be considered when operate cannabis facilities. LPA can help workers to have the discussions needed to protect them from these hazards that sometimes OSHA is years away from having standards on in this industry. Comprehensive training programs, and first aid can also be part of, things that provided to employees and can be included as part of LPA clauses. It is important for employers in the cannabis industry to allow workers to join a union without fear toleration and ensure workers have a safe work environment.
LPAs are essential to allowing for a positive work environment to exist between management and its workers. During a time when it is necessary to fight on behalf of better wages and benefits for all workers, bills like this can serve as tools to even the playing field and promote better opportunities for workers who choose to join this industry and make it safe for workers and consumers. Thank you again to the bill's co sponsors and those who have already expressed support for these pieces of legislation. We urge you to report these bills favorably out of committee so that we can help protect workers in our state who may be seeking a voice through a unit where they are respected, have dignity, and can achieve the quality of life that all workers deserve regardless of what industry they choose to work in. Thank you so much for your time. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
SPEAKER2 - Thank you, Mr. Vega. Appreciate your testimony. Now, we're got to go to Safdhar Medina. Safdhar, are you with us?
SAFDAR MEDINA - CONCERNED CITIZEN - HB 113 - Thank you very much for allowing me the opportune unit to testify in support of Bill H113, which is the actual to, eliminate billboard advertising for cannabis products. I am a primary care of pediatrician, and I serve as a psych pediatric medical director at Tri River Health Center in Uxbridge. I am affiliated with UMas Memorial Healthcare. And On a day5102 to day basis, I will see two or three adolescents easily struggling with cannabis use disorder. Or having problematic use of THC products. And one of the things we know is these teenagers are enticed by advertising. And when we see these billboards, readily, in view to so many of these adolescents, they are led to believe that this is actually a safe substance for them. Which it is not and when you see what happens and you ask them about their perception, they do believe that regular use of cannabis is safe.
In fact, when you look at data, youth risk behavior data, that is one of the things that you will see is the perception by teenagers that cannabis uses safe has actually gone up. And what I see is their lives being dramatically affected, whether it's through cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome, which can cause persistent vomiting, which leads to missed days of school, whether it's worsening of a mental health condition, such as anxiety or depression, or whether it is cannabis induced psychosis, which can become permanent. And what we need is some way of really working harder as a state to restrict access to our teenagers in this era of cannabis legalization I am a fellow of the American Academy Pediatrics, which has a statement that in states that have legalized recreational marijuana, advertising to youth must be limited so that we do not see an increase in youth use of any cannabis product.
So I really stand for the health and welfare of our children here. And I think these billboards portray this as a very safe, and acceptable substance for them to use where it is not without any there are rarely warning signs on these billboard ads of side effects or of the fact that this product is restricted to ages 21 and above. The other thing when you have these on highway is that you people, these teenagers have associated this idea that this might be safe to drive with, which we know that there is no you know, the cannabis use is not safe while you are driving and impaired driving with cannabis continues to be a problem. So thank you very much for giving me the time to testify, and it is really heartbreaking. I can assure you as a pediatrician and a father, this is very heartbreaking. When you see these teams struggling with cannabis use. Thank you. SHOW NON-ESSENTIAL DIALOGUE
SPEAKER2 - Thank you so much for your testimony. I appreciate it. And, if we have we we have no questions. Thank you for your time. We're got to move on to our the rest of our our bills, seeing no one else on virtual that is testifying our next bill is H3557,
representative Michael J. Soder, and act relative to of his research funding.
Moving on, age 35 58 Representative sponsored by Marcus Representative Marcus S Vaughn and act relative to fines for violations of cannabis advertising re regulations.
Next, we have h 3559 sponsored by the same representative and act relative to cannabis advertisements by out of state dispensaries
Next bill is H3560
sponsored by the same representative s. Vaughn and act relative to billboard advertisements for cannabis.
And our next, and last bill is H3750, representative Marcus S Vaughn, and act relative to cannabis marketing.
Before we close out the hearing, I'm going to open the floor. Is this Eric, is there anyone here present that would like to testify on any of the bills that we have heard today?
Seeing none. Is there anybody on virtual on teams that would like to testify before we close the hearing today.
Do we have any questions for my colleagues on my left? My my colleagues on my right. Seeing none, I want to thank all of you that have testified virtually and in person and the ones that have stayed and kept us all company. We appreciate your time. Enjoy the rest of your afternoon. This hearing is now closed.
© InstaTrac 2025