William D. Cox, Jr., Esq. v. Cannabis Control Commission (SPR 20232442)

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts William Francis Galvin, Secretary of the Commonwealth Public Records Division Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records October 17, 2023 SPR23/2442 Andrew Carter, Esq. Associate General Counsel Cannabis Control Commission Union Station 2 Washington Square Worcester, MA 01604 Dear Attorney Carter: I have received the petition of Attorney William D. Cox, Jr., appealing the nonresponse of the Cannabis Control Commission (Commission) to a request for public records. See G. L. c. 66, § 10A; see also 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). On September 19, 2023, Attorney Cox requested the following records on behalf of the City of Haverhill: [1.] All agendas and open or executive meeting minutes and other documents which relate to the creation of the following Cannabis Control Commission working groups: Host Community Agreement Working Group, Municipal Equity Working Group, and Social Consumption Working Group. [2.] All agendas and open or executive meeting minutes for the following working groups: Host Community Agreement Working Group, Municipal Equity Working Group, and Social Consumption Working Group. [3.] Documents which identify the members of the Host Community Agreement Working Group, Municipal Equity Working Group, and Social Consumption Working Group. Documents that identify how these persons were selected to be members of these working groups. [4.] All draft regulations, electronic communications, and any other documents, included documents received from third parties, related to any efforts by the Host Community Agreement Working Group, Municipal Equity Working Group, and Social Consumption Working Group to draft regulations pursuant to Chapter 180 of the Acts of 2022, “An Act Relative to Equity in the Cannabis Industry” (the “Act”). One Ashburton Place, Room 1719, Boston, Massachusetts 02108 • (617) 727-2832• Fax: (617) 727-5914 sec.state.ma.us/pre • pre@sec.state.ma.us

Andrew Carter, Esq. SPR23/2442 Page 2 October 17, 2023 [5.] All comments, written testimony, electronic communications and any other documents submitted to the Cannabis Control Commission and/or the above- referenced working groups concerning the content of any proposed regulations pursuant to the Act, by any person not employed by the Cannabis Control Commission. [6.] All documents which identify any persons that contributed to the drafting of proposed regulations pursuant to the Act. Claiming to not yet have received responsive records, Attorney Cox petitioned this office and this appeal, SPR23/2442, was opened as a result. Subsequently, I learned that the Commission provided a response to Attorney Cox on October 16, 2023. Where this appeal was opened as a result of the Commission’s lack of a written response, I will now consider this administrative appeal closed. Attorney Cox may appeal the substantive nature of the Commission’s response within ninety (90) days. See 950 C.M.R. 32.08(1). Sincerely, Manza Arthur Supervisor of Records cc: William D. Cox, Jr., Esq.