Pot Cafes, Boating Safety Regulations Top New MA Laws For 2026

MASSACHUSETTS — The arrival of so-called pot cafes — allowing for on-site consumption of marijuana at dispensaries and at hospitality venues with a local permit — and new boat registration requirements highlight changes coming to Massachusetts for 2026.

The potential for on-site marijuana consumption was actually approved as part of the voter ballot initiative legalizing pot in the state in 2016. But it wasn't until earlier this month that the state Cannabis Control Commission passed rules for the establishments following the repeal of conflicting state laws and a long regulatory approval process.

The on-site consumption options will include the potential for existing cannabis establishments to add the so-called "pot cafes" where products purchased can be consumed on-site. Hospitality businesses will also have the option of hosting marijuana-consumption events in collaboration
with qualifying dispensaries.

Cities and towns would have the option to permit or deny these cafes and events — as they do now with allowing pot dispensaries — with priority for licenses going to social equity businesses, microbusinesses and craft marijuana cooperatives for the first five years of the program.

The guidelines include the requirement for special training for employees to detect impairment, banning alcohol at cannabis-consumption events, and requiring transportation/ride-sharing plans for each business.

Permitted businesses will be able to serve non-infused food and drink items on site that are shelf-stable and pre-packaged, while hospitality businesses will be able to sell their own prepared food at licensed events.

Other new laws include:

• Boater Safety Certification will soon be required for all vessels registered in the state. Those born after Jan. 1, 1989 will need to gain a valid safety certification as of April 1, 2026. Those born before 1989 will need to get a safety certification as of April 1, 2028.
• Paid Medical and Family Leave maximum weekly benefits will increase from $1,170.64 to $1,230.39.
• Law Enforcement Officer Injury Protection legislation was also recently signed into law by Gov. Maura Healey. The legislation ensures that injured state police officers receive the same disability and retirement benefits as other first responders, providing greater financial security for them and their families. Healey signed the provision into law on Nov. 25.

See Also: New MA Traffic Laws That May Change How You Drive In 2026

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)