The Economic Development & University Relations Committee of Cambridge convened on December 17, 2024, to discuss significant changes regarding cannabis business permits and associated fees. The meeting focused on the removal of the cannabis business permit fee and a previously standard $70,000 transportation fee, which was tied to special permit approvals for retail businesses.

Committee members highlighted that the transportation fee was eliminated as part of the broader changes to the special permit requirements. This decision was made to promote economic empowerment among applicants and to alleviate financial burdens on new businesses entering the cannabis market. The committee acknowledged that while the fee removal would benefit new applicants, existing businesses that had previously paid the fee would not be able to recoup those costs, as they had received the benefits of operating under the special permit system.

Further discussions included the potential for extending the priority period for social consumption licenses, which are still under consideration by the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC). The committee noted that if the council decides to allow social consumption, a new priority period could be established to ensure that certain applicants receive preference in the licensing process.

The meeting concluded with a recognition that no immediate votes or policy orders were prepared for this session. However, members expressed a willingness to collaborate on drafting appropriate language for future policy orders to facilitate the ongoing development of cannabis regulations in Cambridge. The committee plans to revisit these discussions as the situation evolves and as the CCC continues its work on cannabis regulations.