On the heels of marijuana legalization in Massachusetts, it was only a matter of time until home delivery became the new normal. And thanks to passionate groups like Massachusetts Cannabis Association for Delivery, the day has come; recreational marijuana has been cleared for delivery across the state. As a result, many are rightfully wondering what its short- and long-term implications will be, including how it intends to mend the failed policies of the War on Drugs.
The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) has announced that they have approved eleven companies for the licenses necessary to distribute marijuana to homes. Of the near dozen, three of them have already begun operations. Two of those brands include Drizly’s sister company Lantern, which plans to serve Boston, and Your Green Package, which serves Northampton. The third business is Freshly Baked, a veteran-owned and operated business based in Taunton, and credited with the very first delivery in the state.
How do businesses become eligible for delivery?
The process to be approved for delivery is relatively straightforward, beginning with obtaining a license from the CCC. Of course, there are some that find the requirements for licensing to be a bit difficult and tedious, even though such regulation is all for a good reason. Because Massachusetts is endorsing and facilitating recreational home delivery, it requires care and precision in order to maintain a regulated market, especially one that whose stated goal is to remedy the negative impacts of the Failed War on Drugs.
Requirements include a strict delivery process where all transactions are recorded by a body camera and delivery vehicles must be equipped with GPS for constant monitoring. Additionally, two delivery staff will be present in the vehicle and all customers are required to provide identification to receive their order. The CCC has also established only two license types cannabis delivery. The first is for retailers with preexisting storefronts, which can begin to license their products for delivery via in-house staff or through a service similar to the restaurant’s DoorDash and Uber Eats.
The second option is for those who are entirely independent of a preexisting physical business. Instead, these businesses may purchase their supplies from a mass producer and sell those products directly to customers. Again, both are legal and viable options, but each has its own set of advantages and drawbacks . Regardless, many have praised the policy for being inclusive, rather than gatekeeping certain businesses by only allowing physical retail locations to participate.There is hope that more disadvantaged populations, particularly people of color through well-established economic empowerment applicant process, will thrive with the new delivery business.
Bridging a Racial and Socioeconomic Gap Via Delivery
The Commonwealth is also making some much needed strides in closing a long-seeded gap in its history. Most notable is the announcement that delivery licenses will only be available to those who participate in the economic empowerment program for the first three years after home delivery was approved. This program is dedicated to introducing more people of color to the cannabis industry, allowing them to prosper as entrepreneurs without the traditional hurdles. Massachusetts creating licensure and programs that aid rather than inhibit minority-owned businesses is a step in the right direction of a long, overdue fight toward elevating people of color.
https://www.news10.com/news/marijuana-home-delivery-services-launch-in-massachusetts/