Equity Plan for Cannabis Businesses

This plan and policy are required under MGL Chapter 94G, Chapter 94I, and 935 CMR 500.000 and 501.000.

The purpose of this undertaking is to establish clear procedures that promote equitable access to and full participation in the regulated cannabis industry by individuals and communities disproportionately affected by marijuana prohibition and enforcement. The policy and plan will guide the Town of Oxford in negotiating Host Community Agreements (HCAs) with applicants for marijuana establishments and medical marijuana treatment centers, with a particular focus on equity-centered applicants, including Social Equity Businesses (SEBs), participants in the Social Equity Program (SEP), and Economic Empowerment Applicants (EEAs).

This webpage is currently being updated to comply with state requirements – August 2025.

Key individuals and contact information for Oxford's local approval process.

  • Town Manager (HCA negotiation lead): Town Manager’s Office;508-987-6038 ext. 8 or via email at manager@oxfordma.us

  • Board of Selectmen (HCA approval):  office line 508-987-6038 ext. 6 or via bos@oxfordma.us

  • Planning Board / Land Management (Special Permit/Site Plan): 508-987-6038 ext. 4 

  • Building Commissioner / Building Dept. (permits, inspections): 508-987-3934. 

  • Town Clerk (business certificates; public hearing filings): 508-987-6032 (option 1).

  • Technical Review Staff (pre-filing consult Fire, Police, Planning, DPW, etc): 508-987-6045

Summary of Local Approval Process - required steps, fees, deadlines, and meeting schedules

Step A — Pre-application Technical Review (recommended but not required)

  • What: Optional advisory meeting with Oxford’s inter-department staff to surface issues (zoning, fire, health, utilities, access, drainage, ADA/AAB) before filing.

  • How to request: Through the Planning/Building office (Technical Review Staff). 

Step B — Zoning entitlement (Planning Board: Special Permit & Site Plan Review)

  • Where cannabis is allowed: See Oxford Zoning By-laws on Town Clerk's webpage

  • Application package (Planning Board): Use Oxford’s Special Permit/Site Plan form. Include required plan sets, abutters list/envelopes or per-abutter fee, traffic & stormwater materials, and a digital copy. A copy of the form and fee schedule is available on the Planning Board's webpage. 

  • Statutory timelines: Hearing notice published twice; first publication ≥ 14 days before the hearing (M.G.L. c.40A §11). Hearing must open within 65 days of filing; decision within 90 days after the hearing (M.G.L. c.40A §9).

   Planning Board Special Permit (Marijuana Businesses) — decision criteria:

  • Design minimizes adverse impacts on abutters/parties in interest.

  • Demonstrated compliance with all state permits/laws.

  • Adequate security measures.

  • Adequately mitigated traffic, parking, queuing (esp. peak periods).

  • Satisfaction of all conditions in the by-law.

   (Plus general SP criteria in Chapter XIV and Site Plan Review standards, applied via the PB application.)

Step C — Host Community Agreement (HCA) negotiation & approval

  • Who negotiates/approves: Town Manager’s Office (negotiation) and Board of Selectmen. The posting location for Oxford’s equity/HCA materials is the Selectmen page. 

  • HCA packages must be consistent with CCC’s HCA rules (no prohibited terms; impact fee itemization). 

  • State requirements: HCAs must follow 935 CMR 500.180 & 500.181

Step D — Post-entitlement local permits (as applicable)

  • Building: Permit fees generally $7.00 per $1,000 of estimated cost (see fee schedule). Inspections per posted hours. 

  • Fire (prevention/alarms, plan review, etc.): Typical fees (plan review, fire alarm, CNG, fireworks, etc.) listed on webpage under “Permit Fees."

  • Board of Health (if handling food, manufacturing processes with BOH jurisdiction, etc.): See BOH permit schedules on their webpage.

  • Business Certificate (DBA): Register with the Town Clerk after Zoning/Building confirmation. 

Where to track meetings/agendas: Agendas are in Oxford’s Agenda Center on this website. 

Other Matters of Interest:

Proposal Evaluation Score System: The general scoring information is contained within the Town's policy and plan. A sample scoring sheet is also provided on this webpage. The Town will publish each applicant's scores after decisions on this page (as required).

Reasoning for approval or denial (publication standard): After the Selectmen act on an HCA and the Planning Board issues its decision, Oxford will publish a narrative explaining the reasons for approval or denial, referencing: Planning Board findings under the cannabis Special Permit decision criteria and Site Plan standards; and the Town’s HCA evaluation scores (including equity points), with any conditions tied to public safety/health or generally applicable local requirements. This narrative will be posted with the meeting materials/decision documents on the Town website (Selectmen & Planning Board webpages). 

Helpful Quick Links:

For additional information and/or questions, please contact: Tony M. Sousa, Assistant Town Manager at 508-987-6038, Ext. 1033 or via email at tsousa@oxfordma.us