Boston NPR station WGBH dives into the common Massachusetts practice of host community agreements (HCAs) which allow towns to levy fees charitable contributions on their pot shops.
- State Commissioner Shaleen Title called the process “essentially a shake down.”
- One industry lawyer compared HCAs to the practices of former Falls River, Mass. Mayor Jasiel Correia who has been federally charged with extorting more than $600,000 from cannabis businesses. He has denied any criminal activity.
- More than three dozen cities, including Boston, have been subpoenaed in an investigation of whether these agreements comport with state law.
- Amid this, the long wait for licenses is *crushing minority-owned businesses.
WGBH
Also in Massachusetts, the United Food and Commercial Workers Union has accused MSO iAnthus Holdings of breaking state law by retaliating against pro-union workers.
Boston Globe
- In a formal complaint, the union said iAnthus subsidiary Mayflower Medicinals excessively-disciplined two pro-union workers as part of an “illegal anti-union campaign.”
- iAnthus said employees “will have the opportunity to decide” whether they want to join a union.
Meanwhile: In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) cancelled an appearance at an upcoming California Cannabis Industry Association (CCIA) conference after unions accused the 500-member group of distributing anti-union literature.
Los Angeles Times
- CCIA has apologized.
