2025 is the year to EAT, DRINK, and be Merry: Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission

By Andrew Horlick, CRO Second Act Cannabis 

March 10, 2025

The legal consumption of cannabis in public spaces took a big step forward in December 2024, as the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission unveiled its initial pass on three new license structures. 

The Commission’s progress signals Massachusetts intends to be a leader in pioneering this new frontier, and the dream of a culinary cafe or bar-style cannabis experience is taking shape in 2025. 

The three social consumption license structures publicly announced were Supplemental, Hospitality, and Event Organizer. Each has the potential to unlock new and creative social consumption experiences for cannabis, specifically with infused food and drink. 

The Supplemental license structure, which likely has the fastest path to primetime, encourages current license holders to envision special customer events in their retail spaces. 

Conceptually, the dispensary invites key customers into their “social consumption” event space, and those customers, for example, can taste a craft mocktail infused with drink drops. Seamlessly connecting infused product sampling with potential real-time product purchases. 

The Hospitality license structure looks to innovate the classic cannabis coffee house experience from the canals of Amsterdam. The Commission called out the potential for lounges, cafes, entertainment spaces (stand-up comedy), yoga studios, theaters (concerts), and even lodging spaces (coolest hotel ever). 

This license structure allows for infused cannabis events at locations that are currently non-cannabis businesses, also known as “mixed use.” Watch this space. 

The Event Organizer’s license will revolutionize current social consumption in Massachusetts. It’s just a matter of time. 

This license structure looks to experienced event and party planners who can successfully expand their services into cannabis offerings. Bringing skilled event coordinators to enhance your favorite outdoor festivals, concerts, and ballparks with unique cannabis experiences. 

One step at a time, but someday, Fenway.