Massachusetts
‘Frankenstein-like chemical product’: Spread of hemp concoctions worries lawmakers
BOSTON ― The products have been appearing on the shelves of convenience stores, in gas station mini-marts and bodegas. Even liquor stores and restaurants seem to be selling hemp-infused seltzers, energy drinks, tinctures, chocolate bars, gummies and sugary treats masquerading as brand-name candies.
The often-intoxicating concoctions are smokable, vape-able, drinkable and edible: however they are not sold legally in Massachusetts.
Two legislative committees, the joint committees on agriculture and cannabis policy, met Tuesday, summoning public health officials, state agricultural experts and members of the Cannabis Control Commission to discuss the proliferation of the hemp products. They discussed changes in federal law that triggered the growth in the products, the lack of manufacturing and marketing oversight and what the state could do to address the risks they pose.
“It’s a Frankenstein-like chemical product,” said Kimberly Roy, a commissioner on the Cannabis Control Commission.
More: After state puts brakes on Hemp beverage sales, market is left in ‘state of uncertainty’
The experts were clear: it’s up to the Legislature to act. They suggested Massachusetts establish a state-funded and -run standards laboratory for testing suspect products, survey the state to determine which local departments of health need additional resources and shoring up, and set clear state standards for hemp products. They said businesses also need to be educated that the products are illegal in Massachusetts.
What’s at issue?
- While hemp and marijuana are derived from the same plant, and products infused with hemp derivatives can be intoxicating, not all CBD- or hemp-infused products are intoxicating.
- With manufacturing oversight lacking, products can be contaminated by unknown substances.
- Solvents used to extract cannabinoids from hemp can be toxic.
- Ingredient labels do not always match the substances in the products.
- They are marketed and sold to all ages, including young children.
- Only those growers, manufacturers, distributers and retailers who are licensed and regulated by the state can sell intoxicating cannabis products legally.
The proliferation of the products can be traced to the 2018 federal Farm Bill that removed hemp from the schedule of illegal substances, allowing its cultivation for industrial purposes, according to Cheryl Sbarra, executive director of the Massachusetts Association of Health Boards. The plant is grown for its fiber and used to make rope, textiles and paper.
In removing the plant from the schedule of drugs, the federal government did limit the amount of THC, also called Delta 9, in a plant. Those containing less than 0.3% Delta 9 at harvest are considered hemp; plants with greater concentrations of the chemical compound are called marijuana.
In Massachusetts, the state Department of Agricultural Resources oversees the cultivation and harvest of hemp. The plant is tested for Delta 9 concentrations only at harvest. The Cannabis Control Commission oversees the cannabis industry.
Cannabis is tested for potency, for diverse contaminants from pesticide residues to heavy metals and molds. The state oversees the cultivation, harvest, manufacturing, product packaging, distribution and sales.
In contrast, manufacturers of hemp products, many working out of state, have no oversight at all.
Distillers can derive many different cannabinoids from marijuana, including Delta 8 and Delta 10. These can also be synthesized in a laboratory. That process uses solvents that can pose a health risk.
In analyzing hemp-infused substances, the CCC has found between 15 and 30 contaminants in products that analysts do not recognize.
“We don’t have names for them; we see the contaminants in the products, but we don’t know what they are; don’t know if they ever existed before,” Roy told the legislators.
Roy said she has heard from cannabis retailers who have invested at least $1 million in obtaining a state license and their dismay at seeing hemp-infused products, with Delta 8 and Delta 10 compounds, for sale online and at gas stations.
“There’s no testing, no advertising restrictions, no labeling and no tax benefit to the state,” Roy said.
Masquerading as candy
“There are new products being sold all the time,” said Maureen Buzby, tobacco control coordinator for the Melrose Board of Health.
Public health officials also complained of the lack of resources and overriding authority to address the proliferation of hemp products.
Licensed retailers, those selling tobacco or alcohol products, can be warned that they could lose their licenses if they don’t remove the products from their shelves. Places that sell prepared foods also require licenses.
But health officials’ hands are tied when it comes to stores selling self-stable food items.
“We’re talking Twinkies and Coke,” Sbarra said. “They don’t need a permit to sell those items in Massachusetts.”
State Department of Public Health Secretary Dr. Robert Goldstein suggested the Legislature work in coordination with the Cannabis Control Commission, the Department of Agricultural Resources and his own department to resolve jurisdictional issues.
Data indicate that ingested cannabis products can have different effects than smoked products, and can affect children differently than adults, Goldstein said. There have been instances of overdoses and a need for hospitalization of children younger than 10 for breathing support.
“They look like candy,” Goldstein said, and added, “what kid doesn’t want to grab a pack off the shelf at the Home Depot and put it in the cart?”
Meet the Week 8 High School Football Player of the Week candidates
These baker’s dozen candidates were cooking in Week 8. Vote for the Daily News High School Football Player of the Week.
Our No. 1 stayed firmly in place. After weeks of coming close, St. John’s Prep grabbed the top spot in our poll from Catholic Memorial with all four first-place votes and a unanimous 100 points last week. The Eagles stayed firmly in place following a convincing 37-15 win at Malden Catholic last Friday night.
This is the final week of the regular season before a much-anticipated MIAA tournament, and teams across the commonwealth are staking their places in league standings and the statewide power rankings.
Kyle Grabowski (MetroWest Daily News), Jason Snow (The Patriot Ledger), Tim Whelan (Gannett New England) and Chris McDaniel (Gannett New England) will collectively rank the top teams in the state every week this season. These are the rankings heading into Week 8.
Watch MA high school football on NFHS Network
MA high school football top 25 rankings
1. St. John’s Prep- 100 points (4 first-place votes)
2. Springfield Central – 96 points
3. Xaverian – 92 points
4. Catholic Memorial – 88 points
5. King Philip – 84 points
6. Natick – 79 points
7. Methuen – 73 points
8. Central Catholic – 70 points
9. Bishop Feehan – 63 points
10. Tewksbury – 61 points
11. Barnstable – 60 points
12. Marshfield – 54 points
13. Scituate – 53 points
14. Foxborough – 50 points
15. Mansfield – 49 points
16. Andover – 39 points
17. North Attleborough – 37 points
18. Shawsheen Valley Tech – 31 points
19. Milton – 30 points
20. Winchester – 23 points
21. Bridgewater-Raynham – 14 points
22. Abington – 9 points
23. Canton – 8 points
T-24. Hingham – 7 points
T-24. Hanover – 7 points
Other receiving votes: Leominster (6), Duxbury (6), Archbishop Williams (5), Wachusett (5), Bedford (1)
Who jumped into the top 25?
Hanover (5-2) moved into the poll after a 42-21 victory over Quincy, the Hawks’ fourth straight win.
Other notable activity
The top eight remained the same as last week, but Bishop Feehan moved up three spots to #9 after a 27-21 win over a tough Franklin team. North Attleborough, meanwhile, moved down seven spots from #10 to #17 after a 24-14 defeat to Mansfield. The Hornets moved from #20 to #15 with the Hockomock League Davenport triumph.
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey’s office confirmed Wednesday morning that one of her staffers has been fired following his arrest.
“The Governor’s Office has been made aware of the arrest of an employee, Lamar Cook,” a spokesperson for Healey said in a statement. “The conduct that occurred here is unacceptable and represents a major breach of the public trust. Mr. Cook has been terminated from his position effective immediately. This criminal investigation is ongoing, and our administration will work with law enforcement to assist them in their work.”
The state’s website says Cook served as the governor’s western Massachusetts deputy director in Springfield. He has reportedly served in that role since April of 2023.
According to the Hampden District Attorney’s Office, Cook is charged with cocaine trafficking, unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition and is expected to be arraigned in Springfield District Court on Wednesday.
Prosecutors said Cook was arrested Tuesday following an investigation conducted by state police, Homeland Security and other partner agencies. They said investigators have seized multiple parcels containing a total of 21 kilograms of suspected cocaine, including about 8 kilograms that were intercepted on Saturday during a controlled delivery operation in Springfield.
They said the controlled delivery took place at the Springfield State Office Building, where Cook worked. Investigators executed a search warrant of Cook’s former office within the office building on Monday night.
Prosecutors said the investigation that led to Cook’s arrest stemmed from two prior seizures conducted by law enforcement earlier this month. On Oct. 10, they intercepted and searched two suspicious packages at Hotel UMass in Amherst, which were found to contain approximately 13 kilograms of suspected cocaine.
“Evidence collected during that operation was consistent with the narcotics recovered during the most recent controlled delivery in Springfield,” the district attorney’s office said. “The investigation into the UMass seizure remains ongoing and may result in additional charges related to the prior shipments in Hampshire County.”
Massachusetts
“Missed jury duty” scam involving Bitcoin ATMs targets Massachusetts residents, sheriff warns
Two Massachusetts women recently lost a combined $6,700 to a “missed jury duty” phone scam that utilized Bitcoin ATMs, Norfolk County Sheriff Patrick McDermott said.
According to the sheriff, there’s been an increase in calls from scammers who claim to work for local law enforcement and demand money from residents who have supposedly missed jury duty. They threaten to arrest those who don’t agree to pay.
“The Norfolk County Sheriff’s Office never makes calls like this, and neither do local police departments,” McDermott said in a statement Wednesday. “Just hang up on anyone who is demanding money and acting like they are from our office, or another law enforcement agency, threatening you with arrest or detainment for things like ‘missed jury duty’ or an ‘outstanding warrant.’”
Scammers used Bitcoin ATMs
Both of the victims came to the sheriff’s office after sending money to the scammers. One was a woman from Sharon who paid $5,250 via a Bitcoin kiosk.
“She told our officer she was there to clear up an issue about missing jury duty after transferring the money as demanded,” the sheriff said.
The woman said she saw a sign on the Bitcoin machine warning about scams, but the person on the phone told her should would be detained for 10-12 days if she didn’t pay.
Just 90 minutes later, the sheriff said a woman from Dedham came into the office to report that she paid a $1,450 “bond” through a Roslindale Bitcoin kiosk. The scammer reportedly sent her a “fraudulent court document to back up his claims,” the sheriff said, and threatened that she’d be arrested and detained for 72 hours unless she paid immediately.
Scam warnings
The city of Gloucester recently banned Bitcoin ATMs, saying they’re concerned the machines could be used by scammers to prey on elderly victims. And in Waltham this summer, a police officer stopped an elderly man from sending $12,000 to scammers via a Bitcoin machine.
In August, the Federal Trade Commission warned that scammers pretending to be police are calling up Americans and directing them to fake websites to pay a fine for missing jury duty.
“It might ask you to pay up to $10,000 in fines on the site, or send you to a “government kiosk” (no such thing) to pay by cryptocurrency,” the FTC said. “But every bit of this is a scam.”
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