The compromise bill fully rewrites two sections G.L. c. 10 — s.76 pertaining to the Cannabis Control Commission and s. 77 pertaining to the Cannabis Advisory Board of the G.L. c.10.
As to the CCC, the compromise bill does the following:
- Expands membership from 3 to 5 commissioners.
- Splits the appointing authority originally granted exclusively to the Treasurer — among the Attorney General, the Governor and the Treasurer (one each and two more joint appointments)
- Preserves for the Treasurer the power to appoint the Chair.
- Requires that Commissioners reside in the commonwealth, pass a full fingerprint background check demonstrating that they have not been convicted of a felony and not seek or hold elective office,
- Provides that the Commissioners shall be salaried public employees with benefits, subject to all the ethical rules applicable to public employees and additional rules designed to insulate them from influence by the marijuana industry.
- Defines agency procedures and makes clear that CCC funding is subject to the annual budgeting process.
As to the advisory board, the compromise expands the membership from 15 to 25. It also specifically charges the advisory board to form subcommittees on public health, public safety, the development of the industry, local agriculture and growing cooperatives and the expansion of the participation of women, minorities and veterans.