Key Conditions Buyers In Massachusetts Must Consider in Purchase and Sale Agreements Involving License Transfers
April 28, 2025
In the area of cannabis licenses, the cities and towns which have licensed the local cannabis shops, can impose a 3 percent “adult-use” fee. Many municipalities abuse this power by charging more than 3 percent. The fee is supposed to go to a community development or other “do good” purpose but is often used by the local politicians to line their own pocket or dole out the money to their favorite “charity.” The municipalities have been sued for this practice.
I think I would rather keep the power to determine the number of licenses each municipality has with the legislature, imperfect as it is. It is a lesser evil than delegating that power to the localities who will abuse their power more.