Massachusetts Dispensaries Owe Nearly $2 Million in Fees, Inspector General Reports
A recent audit has uncovered nearly $2 million in uncollected fees from Massachusetts cannabis dispensaries, according to the state’s inspector general. The audit, covering 2022 to 2024, revealed that the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) failed to collect prorated license fees, leading to a financial shortfall.
Inspector General Jeffrey Shapiro attributed the issue not to fraud, but to poor management and lack of leadership. The CCC had approved a rule in 2022 allowing dispensaries to extend their license expiration past 120 days, provided they later paid a prorated fee. However, those fees were never collected, resulting in a $550,000 loss over two years. Additionally, another $1.2 million was reportedly owed by 120 license holders, though many of those businesses have since shut down.
In response, the CCC stated that most of the missed fees have now been collected, but concerns remain over leadership accountability. Shapiro urged the agency to implement stronger oversight and clear definitions of authority for the commission’s leadership.
Meanwhile, the CCC continues working on new regulations, including advancing policies for cannabis consumption lounges. Discussions on these regulations will resume at the next commission meeting on Monday.
