BOSTON, MA — A coalition of Massachusetts cannabis companies launched a nonprofit Monday that will work to advance responsible regulation of the cannabis industry in the Commonwealth.
The Responsible Regulation Alliance (RRA) will work with individuals well-versed in state-based cannabis regulation to produce memos and offer insight throughout the remainder of the rule-making process.
RRA is being launched with the support and active participation of four Massachusetts companies committed to the advancement of sensible regulations: Coastal Compassion, Massachusetts Patient Foundation, Mayflower Medicinals, and Natural Selections.
The day-to-day work of RRA will be coordinated by two firms retained by the organization: Beacon Strategies Group (BSG) and VS Strategies.
BSG is a Boston-based public affairs and government relations firm that has been working in the cannabis field since the Commonwealth passed Question 3, which granted patients access to medical marijuana. VS Strategies is a lobbying and public relations firm based in Denver, whose principals have collectively spent decades enacting and shaping cannabis laws and regulations. RRA will also receive valuable insight and guidance from the Massachusetts office of the Vicente Sederberg law firm.
“We expect RRA will be a valuable contributor during the rule-making process,” said Steve Byrne, Vice President at BSG. “RRA’s mission is to provide the Commission with as much information and insight as possible so that it can craft optimal regulations. The final regulations should balance the interests of protecting public health with the goal of allowing industry players to operate in an efficient manner. Such a balance is achievable but it is critical to learn from the experiences of actors in other states.”
Tags: Massachusetts, Massachusetts marijuana legalization, Responsible Regulation Alliance