935 Mass. Reg. 500.802

Current through Register 1520, April 26, 2024

Section 500.802 - Suitability Standard for Registration as a Marijuana Establishment Agent

(1) In accordance with M.G.L. c. 94G, § 4(a½)(iii), the Commission has established qualifications for licensure and minimum standards for employment that are directly and demonstrably related to the operation of a Marijuana Establishment and similar to qualifications for licensure and employment standards in connection with alcoholic beverages as regulated under M.G.L. c. 138, provided that a prior conviction solely for a Marijuana-related offense or for a violation of M.G.L. c. 94C, § 34 shall not disqualify an individual or otherwise affect eligibility for employment or licensure in connection with a Marijuana Establishment, unless the offense involved the distribution of a controlled substance, including Marijuana, to a minor.

(2) For purposes of determining suitability based on background checks in accordance with 935 CMR 500.030 and 500.101:

(a) All conditions, offenses, and violations are construed to include Massachusetts law or like or similar law(s) of Other Jurisdictions.

(b) All criminal disqualifying conditions, offenses, and violations include the crimes of attempt, accessory, conspiracy and solicitation.

(c) Juvenile dispositions shall not be considered as a factor for determining suitability.

(d) Where applicable, all look back periods for criminal conditions, offenses, and violations included in 935 CMR 500.802: Tables B through D commence on the date of disposition; provided, however, that if disposition results in incarceration in any institution, the look back period shall commence on release from incarceration.

(e) Unless otherwise specified in 935 CMR 500.802: Tables B through D, a criminal condition, offense or violation shall include both convictions, which include guilty pleas and pleas of nolo contendere, and dispositions resulting in continuances without a finding or other disposition constituting an admission to sufficient facts, but shall exclude other non-conviction dispositions. All suitability determinations will be made in accordance with the procedures set forth in 935 CMR 500.800. In addition to the requirements established in 935 CMR 500.800 shall:

1. Consider whether offense(s) or information that would result in a Presumptive Negative Suitability Determination under 935 CMR 500.802: Tables B through D renders the subject unsuitable for registration regardless of the determination of the Licensee; and

2. Consider appeals of determinations of unsuitability based on claims of erroneous information received as part of the background check during the application process in accordance with 803 CMR 2.17: Requirement to Maintain a Secondary Dissemination Log and 803 CMR 2.18: Adverse Employment Decision Based on CORI or Other Types of Criminal History Information Received from a Source Other than the DCJIS.

(3) Registered Agents shall remain suitable at all times a License or registration remains in effect. An individual subject to 935 CMR 500.802, shall notify the Commission in writing of any charge or conviction of an offense that would result in a presumptive negative suitability determination or mandatory disqualification under 935 CMR 500.802: Tables B through D within ten days of such individual's arrest or summons, and within ten days of the disposition on the merits of the underlying charge. Failure to make proper notification to the Commission may be grounds for disciplinary action. If the Commission lawfully finds a disqualifying event and the individual asserts that the record was sealed, the Commission may require the individual to provide proof from a court evidencing the sealing of the case.

Table B: Retail, Delivery Licensee or a Marijuana Establishment with a Delivery Endorsement, Social Consumption Establishment, and Transporter Marijuana Establishment Agents. Applies solely to applicants for registration as a Marijuana Establishment Agent at a Marijuana Establishment licensed pursuant to 935 CMR 500.100, as a Marijuana Retailer, Delivery Licensee or a Marijuana Establishment with a Delivery Endorsement, Social Consumption Establishment, or as a Marijuana Transporter, under 935 CMR 500.050.

Time Period	Precipitating Issue	Result
Present (during time from start of application process through action on application or renewal).	Open/Unresolved Criminal Proceedings: Any outstanding or unresolved criminal proceeding for an offense involving the distribution of a controlled substance, including Marijuana, to a minor.	Presumptive Negative Suitability Determination
Present	Open Professional or Occupational License Cases	Presumptive Negative Suitability Determination
Present	Open/Unresolved Marijuana License or Registration Violations (Massachusetts or Other Jurisdictions): An outstanding or unresolved violation of the regulations as included in 935 CMR 500.000 or a similar statute or regulations of an Other Jurisdiction, which has either (a) remained unresolved for a period of six months or more; or (b) the nature of which would result in a determination of unsuitability for registration.	Presumptive Negative Suitability Determination
Present	Submission of Untruthful Information to the Commission Including, but Not Limited to: Submission of information in connection with an agent application, waiver request or other Commission action that is deceptive, misleading, false or fraudulent, or that tends to deceive or create a misleading impression, whether directly, or by omission or ambiguity including lack of disclosure or insufficient disclosure; or making statements during or in connection with a Commission inspection or investigation that are deceptive, misleading, false or fraudulent, or that tend to deceive or create a misleading impression, whether directly, or by omission or ambiguity, including lack of disclosure or insufficient disclosure.	Presumptive Negative Suitability Determination
Indefinite	Conviction or Continuance without a Finding (CWOF) for Any Distribution of a Controlled Substance to a Minor	Mandatory Disqualification
Indefinite	The applicant's or Licensee's prior actions posed or would likely pose a risk to the public health, safety, or welfare; and the risk posed by the applicant's or Licensee's actions relates or would likely relate to the operation of a Marijuana Establishment.	May make a Negative Suitability Determination in accordance with 935 CMR 500.800(8)

Table C: Marijuana Product Manufacturer Marijuana Establishment Agents. Applies solely to applicants for registration as an agent at a Marijuana Establishment licensed pursuant to 935 CMR 500.100 as a Marijuana Product Manufacturer under 935 CMR 500.050.

Time Period	Precipitating Issue	Result
Present (during time from start of application process through action on application or renewal).	Open/Unresolved Criminal Proceedings: Any outstanding or unresolved criminal proceeding for an offense involving the distribution of a controlled substance, including Marijuana, to a minor.	Presumptive Negative Suitability Determination
Present	Open Professional or Occupational License Cases	Presumptive Negative Suitability Determination
Present	Open/Unresolved Marijuana License or Registration Violations (Massachusetts or Other Jurisdictions): An outstanding or unresolved violation of the regulations as included in 935 CMR 500.000 or a similar statute or regulations in an Other Jurisdiction, that has either (a) remained unresolved for a period of six months or more; or (b) the nature of which would result in a determination of unsuitability for registration.	Presumptive Negative Suitability Determination
Present	Submission of Untruthful Information to the Commission Including, but Not Limited to: Submission of information in connection with an agent application, waiver request or other Commission action that is deceptive, misleading, false or fraudulent, or that tends to deceive or create a misleading impression, whether directly, or by omission or ambiguity, including lack of disclosure or insufficient disclosure; or making statements during or in connection with a Commission inspection or investigation that are deceptive, misleading, false or fraudulent, or that tend to deceive or create a misleading impression, whether directly, or by omission or ambiguity, including lack of disclosure or insufficient disclosure.	Presumptive Negative Suitability Determination
Indefinite	The applicant's or Licensee's prior actions posed or would likely pose a risk to the public health, safety, or welfare; and the risk posed by the applicant's or Licensee's actions relates or would likely relate to the operation of a Marijuana Establishment.	May make a Negative Suitability Determination in accordance with 935 CMR 500.800(8)
Indefinite	Conviction or Continuance without a Finding (CWOF) for Any Distribution of a Controlled Substance to a Minor	Mandatory Disqualification

Table D: Cultivation Marijuana Establishment Agents. Applies solely to applicants for registration as an Agent at a Marijuana Establishment licensed as a Marijuana Cultivator or Craft Marijuana Cooperative.

Time Period	Precipitating Issue	Result
Present (during time from start of application process through action on application or renewal).	Open/Unresolved Criminal Proceedings: Any outstanding or unresolved criminal proceeding for an offense involving the distribution of a controlled substance, including Marijuana, to a minor.	Presumptive Negative Suitability Determination
Present	Open Professional or Occupational License Cases	Presumptive Negative Suitability Determination
Present	Open/Unresolved Marijuana License or Registration Violations (Massachusetts or Other Jurisdictions): An outstanding or unresolved violation of the regulations as included in 935 CMR 500.000 or a similar statute or regulations in an Other Jurisdiction, that has either (a) remained unresolved for a period of six months or more; or (b) the nature of which would result in a determination of unsuitability for registration	Presumptive Negative Suitability Determination
Present	Submission of Information to the Commission Including, but Not Limited to: Submission of information in connection with an agent application, waiver request or other Commission action that is deceptive, misleading, false or fraudulent, or that tends to deceive or create a misleading impression, whether directly, or by omission or ambiguity, including lack of disclosure or insufficient disclosure; or making statements during or in connection with a Commission inspection or investigation that are deceptive, misleading, false or fraudulent, or that tend to deceive or create a misleading impression, whether directly, or by omission or ambiguity, including lack of disclosure or insufficient disclosure.	Presumptive Negative Suitability Determination
Indefinite	Conviction or Continuance without a Finding (CWOF) for Any Distribution of a Controlled Substance to a Minor	Mandatory Disqualification
Indefinite	The applicant's or Licensee's prior actions posed or would likely pose a risk to the public health, safety, or welfare; and the risk posed by the applicant's or Licensee's actions relates or would likely relate to the operation of a Marijuana Establishment.	May make a Negative Suitability Determination in accordance with 935 CMR 500.800(8)