Bill H.4187: An Act modernizing the commonwealth's cannabis laws
https://www.thesomervilletimes.com/getnews/tst_6_11_25.pdf
Somerville Times
Beacon Hill Roll Call
6/11/25
REGULATE CANNABIS (H 4187) House 153-0, approved and sent to the Senate a bill that makes several changes to the state's cannabis laws that supporters say would allow the cannabis industry to continue growing responsibly. The bill makes changes to the structure of the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), increases the number of retail licenses that an entity may have, lowers the barrier to entry for medical marijuana retail, increases purchase limits for consumers and patients and addresses the selling of hemp products. The bill creates an oversight structure for the importation, manufacture and sale of two forms of consumable federally legal hemp products: hemp beverages and consumable CBD products. Under the bill, both products may only be sold if registered with the CCC. The bill instructs the CCC to develop regulations for hemp product registration that aligns with regulations for marijuana products, including a prohibition on any product containing synthetic cannabinoids. The products may only be manufactured from concentrate that complies with federal potency limits on hemp. Other provisions include increasing the purchase and possession limit from one to two ounces of marijuana; increasing from two ounces to three ounces the possession limit that would result in a civil penalty or drug awareness programming for those under 21; restructuring the CCC by making the governor the sole appointing authority--replacing current law which gives that authority to the trio of the governor, treasurer and attorney general; and requiring the chair of the CCC to serve coterminously with the governor. The bill also incrementally raises from three to six the limit on the number of retail licenses any individual or entity may hold and requires that priority consideration for licenses be given to social equity businesses, minority businesses, woman businesses and veteran businesses. "This legislation not only makes needed changes to the structure of the Cannabis CCC, it's also representative of the House's commitment to ensuring that the cannabis industry in Massachusetts is regulated in a manner that bolsters economic opportunity, especially for communities that were disproportionately impacted by the criminalization of marijuana," said House Speaker Ron Mariano (D-Quincy)
H 4187 passed House 153-0, a bill that makes several changes to the state's cannabis laws that supporters say would allow the cannabis industry to continue growing responsibly. The bill makes changes to the structure of the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), increases the number of retail licenses that an entity may have, lowers the barrier to entry for medical marijuana retail, increases purchase limits for consumers and patients and addresses the selling of hemp products. House Minority Leader Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading) says, "the bill establishes standards for licensing, compliance and testing of intoxicating hemp-derived beverages and other consumable CBD products which can cause impairment but are widely available at many of the state's convenience stores and gas stations. I supported this bill because it will protect consumers and support businesses by strengthening the cannabis industry's regulatory framework."
https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/massachusetts-cannabis-marijuana-thc-levels-fraud/
Law enforcement group alleges fraud in Massachusetts cannabis industry: "They're ripping off the consumer."
By Louisa Moller
Updated on: December 11, 2025 / 9:11 AM EST / CBS Boston
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The president of a local law enforcement group is sounding alarms about the reliability of cannabis products in Massachusetts. Matt Gutwill, President of the New England Narcotic Officers Enforcement Association, argues that THC percentages in cannabis products are being inflated. Gutwill and his organization have tested more than 100 products and found that a significant number had THC percentages below what was stated on the products' labels. "[The testing] is saying it's 12.8%, but [the label] said that it was 34.65% THC level," said Gutwill. Gutwill argues that THC inflation is a symptom of a larger problem, a lack of oversight by state regulators of cannabis testing labs. Rumors of "lab-shopping" or trying out different labs to get the most favorable result, have swirled in the industry. Gutwill says it is possible because the Cannabis Control Commission, the state's regulatory body which oversees cannabis commercialization, does not conduct its own random testing.
25-H4187MA Legislative Summary: Bill H.4187: An Act modernizing the commonwealth's cannabis laws
Summary by Somerville Times, Beacon Hill Roll Call, 6/11/25: H 4187 passed House 153-0, a bill that makes several changes to the state's cannabis laws that supporters say would allow the cannabis industry to continue growing responsibly. The bill makes changes to the structure of the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC), increases the number of retail licenses that an entity may have, lowers the barrier to entry for medical marijuana retail, increases purchase limits for consumers and patients and addresses the selling of hemp products. House Minority Leader Rep. Brad Jones (R-North Reading) says, "the bill establishes standards for licensing, compliance and testing of intoxicating hemp-derived beverages and other consumable CBD products which can cause impairment but are widely available at many of the state's convenience stores and gas stations. I supported this bill because it will protect consumers and support businesses by strengthening the cannabis industry's regulatory framework."
Summary against bill in SCBS News Dec. 11, 2025: The president of a local law enforcement group is sounding alarms about the reliability of cannabis products in Massachusetts. Matt Gutwill, President of the New England Narcotic Officers Enforcement Association, argues that THC percentages in cannabis products are being inflated. Gutwill and his organization have tested more than 100 products and found that a significant number had THC percentages below what was stated on the products' labels. "[The testing] is saying it's 12.8%, but [the label] said that it was 34.65% THC level," said Gutwill. Gutwill argues that THC inflation is a symptom of a larger problem, a lack of oversight by state regulators of cannabis testing labs. Rumors of "lab-shopping" or trying out different labs to get the most favorable result, have swirled in the industry. Gutwill says it is possible because the Cannabis Control Commission, the state's regulatory body which oversees cannabis commercialization, does not conduct its own random testing. 19 -2 2 0 Drugs Allow state cannabis industry to grow responsibly Don't support growth of state cannabis industry Sponsored bill to responsibly grow cannabis industry https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H4187 https://malegislature.gov/RollCall/194/HouseRollCall55.pdf
Democratic Party Platform "Healthcaer and Human Services" (p. 16): Massachusetts Democrats will fight for... Using the revenue generated by legalized marijuana to help fund proven opioid prevention and recovery services.
Legislative Outcome: Renamed as H.4206; Passed to be engrossed 153-0-6 on House Roll Call #55 on 6/4/25; Senate Roll Call #116 on 11/19/25.
Democratic platform
p.16
MASSACHUSETTS DEMOCRATS WILL FIGHT FOR:
Using the revenue generated by legalized marijuana to help fund proven opioid prevention and recovery services.
Allow state cannabis industry to continue to grow responsibly
Don't support growth of state cannabis industry
https://malegislature.gov/RollCall/194/HouseRollCall55.pdf
MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES H. 4187 On passing to be engrossed Yea and Nay 06/04/2025 03:59 PM No. 55 153 YEAS 0 NAYS 6 N/V
25-H4187MA v1y Mr. Speaker
25-H4187MA v1y Fiola
25-H4187MA v1y Mahoney
25-H4187MA v1y Sylvia
25-H4187MA v1y Moran M.
25-H4187MA v1y Flanagan
25-H4187MA x Markey
25-H4187MA v1y Tarsky
25-H4187MA v1y Hogan
25-H4187MA v1y Fluker-Reid
25-H4187MA v1y McGonagle
25-H4187MA v1y Turco
25-H4187MA v1y Peisch
25-H4187MA v1y Gallagher
25-H4187MA v1y McMurtry
25-H4187MA s3o Tyler
25-H4187MA v1y Moran F.
25-H4187MA v1y Galvin
25-H4187MA v1y Mendes
25-H4187MA v1y Ultrino
25-H4187MA v1y Donato
25-H4187MA v1y Garballey
25-H4187MA v1y Meschino
25-H4187MA v1y Uyterhoeven
25-H4187MA v1y Arciero
25-H4187MA v1y Garcia
25-H4187MA v1y Michlewitz
25-H4187MA v1y Vargas
25-H4187MA v1y Arena-DeRosa
25-H4187MA v1y Garry
25-H4187MA v1y Moakley
25-H4187MA v1y Vitolo
25-H4187MA v1y Armini
25-H4187MA v1y Gentile
25-H4187MA s3o Montaño
25-H4187MA v1y Walsh
25-H4187MA v1y Arriaga
25-H4187MA v1y Giannino
25-H4187MA v1y Moran J.
25-H4187MA v1y Wells
25-H4187MA v1y Ashe
25-H4187MA v1y Gómez
25-H4187MA v1y Murphy
25-H4187MA v1y Williams
25-H4187MA v1y Ayers
25-H4187MA v1y González
25-H4187MA v1y Murray
25-H4187MA v1y Worrell
25-H4187MA v1y Badger
25-H4187MA v1y Gordon
25-H4187MA v1y Nguyen
25-H4187MA v1y Zlotnik
25-H4187MA v1y Barber
25-H4187MA v1y Gregoire
25-H4187MA x O'Day
25-H4187MA v1y --Jones--
25-H4187MA v1y Barrett
25-H4187MA v1y Haggerty
25-H4187MA v1y Ouellette
25-H4187MA v1y Ferguson
25-H4187MA v1y Biele
25-H4187MA v1y Hamilton
25-H4187MA v1y Owens
25-H4187MA v1y Frost
25-H4187MA v1y Blais
25-H4187MA v1y Hawkins
25-H4187MA v1y Paulino
25-H4187MA v1y Muradian
25-H4187MA v1y Bowen
25-H4187MA v1y Hendricks
25-H4187MA v1y Philips
25-H4187MA v1y Vieira
25-H4187MA v1y Cabral
25-H4187MA v1y Higgins
25-H4187MA v1y Plouffe
25-H4187MA v1y Berthiaume
25-H4187MA s3o Cahill
25-H4187MA v1y Holmes
25-H4187MA s3o Puppolo
25-H4187MA v1y Boldyga
25-H4187MA v1y Cataldo
25-H4187MA v1y Honan
25-H4187MA v1y Ramos, A.
25-H4187MA v1y Chaisson
25-H4187MA v1y Chan
25-H4187MA x Hong
25-H4187MA v1y Ramos, O.
25-H4187MA v1y DeCoste
25-H4187MA v1y Ciccolo
25-H4187MA v1y Howard
25-H4187MA v1y Reid
25-H4187MA x Gaskey
25-H4187MA v1y Connolly
25-H4187MA x Hunt
25-H4187MA v1y Reyes
25-H4187MA v1y Howitt
25-H4187MA v1y Consalvo
25-H4187MA v1y Kassner
25-H4187MA v1y Robertson
25-H4187MA v1y Kane
25-H4187MA s3o Cruz
25-H4187MA v1y Kearney
25-H4187MA s3o Rogers, D.
25-H4187MA v1y Lombardo
25-H4187MA s3o Cusack
25-H4187MA v1y Keefe
25-H4187MA v1y Rogers, J.
25-H4187MA v1y Marsi
25-H4187MA v1y Davis
25-H4187MA v1y Kerans
25-H4187MA v1y Roy
25-H4187MA v1y McKenna
25-H4187MA v1y Day
25-H4187MA s3o Kilcoyne
25-H4187MA v1y Ryan
25-H4187MA v1y Orrall
25-H4187MA v1y Decker
25-H4187MA s3o Kushmerek
25-H4187MA v1y Sabadosa
25-H4187MA v1y Pease
25-H4187MA v1y Diggs
25-H4187MA v1y LaNatra
25-H4187MA v1y Sangiolo
25-H4187MA v1y Smola
25-H4187MA v1y Domb
25-H4187MA v1y Lawn
25-H4187MA v1y Saunders
25-H4187MA s3o Soter
25-H4187MA v1y Donaghue
25-H4187MA v1y LeBoeuf
25-H4187MA v1y Scanlon
25-H4187MA v1y Sullivan-Almeida
25-H4187MA v1y Donahue
25-H4187MA x Lewis
25-H4187MA v1y Scarsdale
25-H4187MA v1y Sweezey
25-H4187MA v1y DuBois
25-H4187MA v1y Linsky
25-H4187MA v1y Schwartz
25-H4187MA v1y Thurber
25-H4187MA v1y Duffy
25-H4187MA v1y Lipper-Garabedian
25-H4187MA v1y Sena
25-H4187MA v1y Vaughn
25-H4187MA v1y Elliott
25-H4187MA v1y Livingstone
25-H4187MA s3o Shand
25-H4187MA v1y Wong
25-H4187MA v1y Farley-Bouvier
25-H4187MA v1y Luddy
25-H4187MA v1y Silvia
25-H4187MA v1y Xiarhos
25-H4187MA v1y Ferrante
25-H4187MA v1y MacGregor
25-H4187MA v1y Sousa
25-H4187MA s3o --Whipps--
25-H4187MA v1y Finn
25-H4187MA v1y Madaro
25-H4187MA v1y Stanley
*=AFTER VOTE P=PRESENT X=NOT VOTING
https://malegislature.gov/RollCall/194/SenateRollCall116.pdf
Senate -- Roll Call #116 H.4206 -- Question on passing the bill to be engrossed YEAS.
25-H4187MA v1y Barrett, Michael J.
25-H4187MA v1y Finegold, Barry R.
25-H4187MA v1y Brady, Michael D.
25-H4187MA v1y Friedman, Cindy F.
25-H4187MA v1y Brownsberger, William N.
25-H4187MA v1y Gómez, Adam
25-H4187MA v1y Collins, Nick
25-H4187MA v1y Jehlen, Patricia D.
25-H4187MA v1y Comerford, Joanne M.
25-H4187MA v1y Kennedy, Robyn K.
25-H4187MA v1y Creem, Cynthia Stone
25-H4187MA v1y Lewis, Jason M.
25-H4187MA v1y Crighton, Brendan P.
25-H4187MA v1y Lovely, Joan B.
25-H4187MA v1y Cronin, John J.
25-H4187MA v1y Mark, Paul W.
25-H4187MA v1y Cyr, Julian
25-H4187MA v1y Miranda, Liz
25-H4187MA v1y DiDomenico, Sal N.
25-H4187MA v1y Moore, Michael O.
25-H4187MA v1y Driscoll, Jr., William J.
25-H4187MA s3o Oliveira, Jacob R.
25-H4187MA v1y Edwards, Lydia
25-H4187MA v1y Payano, Pavel
25-H4187MA v1y Eldridge, James B.
25-H4187MA v1y Rausch, Rebecca L.
25-H4187MA v1y Feeney, Paul R.
25-H4187MA v1y Rodrigues, Michael J.
25-H4187MA v1y Fernandes, Dylan A.
25-H4187MA v1y Rush, Michael F.
− 30.
NAYS.
25-H4187MA v2n Dooner, Kelly A.
25-H4187MA v2n Montigny, Mark C.
25-H4187MA v2n Durant, Peter J.
25-H4187MA v2n O'Connor, Patrick M.
25-H4187MA v2n Fattman, Ryan C.
25-H4187MA v2n Tarr, Bruce E.
25-H4187MA v2n Keenan, John F.
− 7.
ABSENT OR NOT VOTING.
25-H4187MA s3o Velis, John C. Sponsored but did not vote
− 1.
CO-SPONSORS:
Name District/Address
Samantha MontañoThis sponsor is an original petitioner.* 15th Suffolk
Meghan K. KilcoyneThis sponsor is an original petitioner.* 12th Worcester
Mark J. CusackThis sponsor is an original petitioner.* 5th Norfolk
Michael J. SoterThis sponsor is an original petitioner.* 8th Worcester
David M. RogersThis sponsor is an original petitioner.* 24th Middlesex
Susannah M. WhippsThis sponsor is an original petitioner.* 2nd Franklin
Chynah TylerThis sponsor is an original petitioner.* 7th Suffolk
Manny CruzThis sponsor is an original petitioner.* 7th Essex
Dawne ShandThis sponsor is an original petitioner.* 1st Essex
Michael P. KushmerekThis sponsor is an original petitioner.* 3rd Worcester
John C. VelisThis sponsor is an original petitioner.* Hampden and Hampshire
Daniel CahillThis sponsor is an original petitioner.* 10th Essex
Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr.This sponsor is an original petitioner.* 12th Hampden
Jacob R. OliveiraThis sponsor is an original petitioner.* Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester