Medical marijuana curbside pickup, phone/internet sales now allowed in Massachusetts

Colin A. Young
State House News Service

Medical marijuana patients soon might not have to even get out of their car to pick up their medicine.

The Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) late Friday authorized medical marijuana treatment centers to “add sales by phone or electronic means” and to transfer “marijuana and marijuana products in the parking area of their premises or to an individual at the entrance.”

Before MTCs will be allowed to start curbside pickup, they must submit to the CCC a “standard operating procedure” for curbside pickup, including an updated facility layout with curbside sales areas identified, traffic queuing plans, and proposed signage to direct patients. The companies must also notify their host community, including police and public health officials, of their plans.

“Safe patient access during Massachusetts’ state of emergency requires regulatory responsiveness and intentional protocols aimed at reducing exposure to Coronavirus,” Executive Director Shawn Collins said. “I am proud the Commission has deployed several system and policy enhancements to the Medical Use of Marijuana Program that both improve the patient experience and maintain compliant operations in the face of unanticipated disruptions to our way of life.”

The MTCs must still adhere to all the other laws and regulations around marijuana sales. No curbside transfer will be allowed if any non-patient under the age of 21 is present, and the MTCs will still check IDs and patient registration cards. Video camera coverage of all areas where marijuana is handled or dispensed will still be required.