Who Makes the Cannabis Rules?

What This Covers

• The Cannabis Control Board (CCB)
• The Office of Cannabis Management (OCM)
• Roles, authority, and decision-making structure
• Rule-making and public hearings
• Enforcement powers
• Equity oversight roles
• Ethics, conflicts, and transparency requirements

Cannabis Control Board (CCB) (Section 7)

The primary policy-making body for cannabis regulation.

• Sets statewide cannabis policy
• Approves or denies licenses
• Adopts, amends, and repeals regulations
• Oversees OCM operations
• Members are appointed by state leadership
• Members may not hold financial interests in cannabis businesses

The Board makes decisions. OCM executes them.

Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) (Section 8)

The operational and enforcement agency.

• Manages license applications and renewals
• Conducts inspections
• Oversees enforcement actions
• Runs education and outreach programs

OCM is the day-to-day regulator operators interact with.

Executive Director (Section 9)

Leads OCM and carries out Board policy.

• Implements Board decisions
• Manages staff and internal operations
• Oversees licensing, compliance, and enforcement
• Coordinates public health initiatives

Powers of the Board (Section 10)

Defines the Board’s legal authority.

• Approve or deny licenses
• Create and amend regulations
• Set standards for testing, packaging, marketing, and operations
• Suspend or revoke licenses

Duties of the Executive Director (Section 11)

Covers daily regulatory operations.

• Administer licensing processes
• Conduct inspections and enforcement
• Manage agency operations
• Coordinate with other state agencies

Chief Equity Officer (Section 12)

Oversees equity implementation and monitoring.

• Supports Social and Economic Equity (SEE) applicants
• Oversees equity licensing initiatives
• Tracks participation and outcomes
• Reports on access and diversity

Rule-making Process (Section 13)

Explains how cannabis regulations are created.

• Drafting proposed rules
• Public notice and comment periods
• Review and final adoption by the Board

Applies to rules covering retail operations, labeling, packaging, marketing, advertising, and testing.

State Cannabis Advisory Board (Section 14)

Advisory body without voting power.

• Provides feedback on licensing and regulation
• Makes equity-related recommendations
• Represents community and industry perspectives

The Advisory Board influences discussion but does not set policy.

License Fee Revenue (Section 15)

Explains how cannabis fees are used.

• Deposited into the Cannabis Revenue Fund
• Supports regulatory operations
• Funds education and public health programs
• Supports equity initiatives

Violations and Penalties (Section 16)

Lists enforcement consequences.

• Civil fines
• License suspension
• License revocation
• Court-issued injunctions

Emergency Relief (Section 16-A)

Allows immediate action when health or safety is at risk.

• Suspend sales
• Issue stop-orders
• Temporarily suspend licenses

Hearings (Section 17)

Establishes due-process protections.

• Written notice of violations
• Opportunity to respond
• Formal hearing procedures

Ethics and Transparency (Section 18)

Sets conduct standards for regulators.

• Conflict-of-interest restrictions
• Ethics rules for Board members and staff
• Public information and transparency requirements

Public Health Campaigns (Section 19)

Requires statewide education efforts.

• Safe cannabis use
• Youth prevention
• Public awareness initiatives

Uniform Policies (Section 20)

Ensures consistency across the state.

• Licensing procedures
• Compliance standards
• Enforcement practices

What Operators Usually Miss

• The Board sets policy; OCM enforces it
• Public comment periods affect final rules
• Emergency powers can bypass normal timelines

When This Comes Up

• Challenging or interpreting regulations
• Responding to enforcement actions
• Participating in public rule-making
• Seeking clarity on regulatory authority

What Happens If You Ignore This

• Misdirected communications
• Missed opportunities to comment on rules
• Delayed responses to enforcement
• Increased compliance risk

Go Here Next

• Why Cannabis Was Legalized (Article 1)
• OCM Guidance
• Reference Library

Source Material

• MRTA Article 2, Sections 7–20