A group of cannabis dispensaries is suing the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) over the state’s new delivery rules, as first reported by the Boston Business Journal.
The Commonwealth Dispensary Association filed the lawsuit in Suffolk Superior Court Jan. 13, according to a MassLive.com report. The plaintiffs argue that the regulations, which allow only social equity applicants to receive cannabis delivery licenses for the first three years, violate state law, the news outlet reported.
The CCC approved the regulations in November to create two types of delivery licenses: one that allows companies to purchase product wholesale and to warehouse product for delivery, and one that allows individuals to partner with adult-use dispensaries to deliver product to customers, according to MassLive.com.
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Both license types are available exclusively to social equity and economic empowerment applicants for a period of three years, the news outlet reported.
The Commonwealth Dispensary Association argues in its lawsuit that an existing state statute permits licensed dispensaries to deliver their products to customers, according to MassLive.com. The plaintiffs also allege that the CCC did not have the authority to enact the new regulations, as the commission had just four members at the time, following the resignation of Kay Doyle and the end of Shaleen Title’s term, the news outlet reported.
The lawsuit ultimately asks the court to declare the delivery regulations invalid, according to MassLive.com.
