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Board discusses state cannabis delivery changes and whether Hampden should seek a waiver
Summary
After the governor signed H 53 50 modernizing cannabis laws, staff told the board the town must allow medical delivery but can seek a two-year waiver to block recreational home delivery if it does not authorize retail sales. Members asked about enforcement and licensing fees and asked staff to prepare information for a vote.
Staff summarized recent state legislation (referred to in the discussion as H 53 50) that changes municipal authority over cannabis delivery: under the new law the town must allow medical cannabis delivery but may opt out of recreational delivery by applying for a two‑year waiver from the Cannabis Control Commission if the municipality does not allow retail sales.
Board members asked whether there is a deadline to submit a waiver, how the commission’s forthcoming regulations (to be adopted within 12 months) affect timing, and whether the town would receive any fee revenue from delivery licensing. One member noted the legislative scheme imposes application and licensing fees—he said he found a $1,500 application fee and a $10,000 annual licensing fee for delivery providers—and asked how the town would know whether deliveries occur in town if it opts out. Staff said the commission will establish regulations and that more detail will be available after the commission’s rulemaking.
The board agreed to put a waiver-request vote on a future agenda and asked staff to gather the commission guidance and timing so the board can decide whether to opt out of recreational delivery. No formal vote on the waiver was taken at this meeting.
