Testimony On Cannabis Ownership Limits

Wednesday, April 9, 2025 10:30am

Joint Committee on Cannabis Policy

Submitted by:

Shaleen Title, Founder and Director, Parabola Center for Law and Policy;

Former Commissioner, Cannabis Control Commission (2017-2020)

 

Dear Chairman Gomez, Chairman Donahue, and Members of the Committee:

I am writing to record my strong opposition to H.158, S.99, H.149, S.78, H.174, H.171, S.75, and H.160, and my support for S. 88.

This committee has historically made well-informed and thoughtful decisions on marijuana policy, and I appreciate being able to offer my input.

I advise against changing the existing ownership limits. As you consider changes, in addition to considering what may result tomorrow, please also consider the long-term consequences. As I mentioned in previous testimony to this committee, tobacco and alcohol companies are investing heavily in the cannabis industry globally. Our ownership limits in Massachusetts provide protection against corporate concentration by Altria, British American Tobacco, Molson Coors, and other companies who are lobbying for federal legalization and preparing to make acquisitions in markets like Massachusetts. What would be the policy implications of doubling the potential market share of these companies?

The limits imposed by the Massachusetts legislature have been one of the strongest and most effective ways to support small businesses, promote equity, and protect the public from concerns related to corporate misconduct when marijuana is legalized. I highlighted Massachusetts’ license limits in the paper “Bigger is Not Better: Preventing Monopolies in the National Cannabis Market,” which was cited in the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime World Drug Report in 2022 as well as in the 2024 report on public health consequences of cannabis legalization by the U.S. National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine. I have long encouraged other jurisdictions to adopt similar measures.

Thank you for considering this perspective. I am not a lobbyist for any organization and do not have any private clients.