Committee tables bill to allow on‑site cannabis consumption lounges; sponsor to supply fuller amendment

The Veterans and Legal Affairs Committee on Jan. 5 tabled LD 13 65, a carryover bill that would allow on‑premise cannabis consumption lounges at licensed retail stores subject to local approval and endorsement by the Office of Cannabis Policy.

Committee analyst Rachel Olsen told members the sponsor’s proposed amendment — which would add a required cannabis server education course, a Cannabis Liability Act modeled on liquor law and an implementation period for public education and OCP rulemaking — is not drafted in a form suitable for a committee vote. "The proposed amendment as drafted is not complete," Olsen said, and she warned many policy decisions and technical drafting choices still need to be resolved before the committee could act.

Sponsor Representative Boyer said he supports allowing designated places where adults may consume cannabis and noted Massachusetts recently moved in a similar direction. He asked for time to provide a complete amendment; the chair set a schedule for the committee’s late‑January work sessions and the sponsor moved to table the bill pending a full drafting package. The motion to table was seconded and carried.

The committee’s action pauses further consideration while the sponsor works with the analyst on operational and statutory language, including questions about smoke/vaping rules, server training and potential fiscal impacts. The analyst noted no fiscal note is yet available because the amendment is incomplete.