Framingham, MA Cannabis Regulations: Buffer Zones (2026)
Key Facts
- School buffer
- 500 feet from public or private school
- Buffer measurement
- Straight line, nearest point to nearest point
- Schools covered
- Preschool through grade 12
- Permit term
- Annual, nontransferable
- Minimum inspections
- At least two unscheduled per year
- Underage-sale renewal bar
- Two sales to minors in one permit year
Summary
The City of Framingham's Board of Health will not issue a marijuana operating permit to any establishment sited within 500 feet of a public or private school serving preschool through grade 12, measured in a straight line between the two nearest points.
In no instance shall a marijuana operating permit be issued to any establishment within 500 feet of a public or private school where children attend classes in preschool programs, kindergarten programs, or grades one to 12 inclusive. The 500-foot distance shall be measured in a straight line from the nearest point of the facility in question to the nearest point of the proposed marijuana establishment.
Full Breakdown
Framingham Board of Health Regulations § 480-29O bars issuing a marijuana operating permit to any establishment within 500 feet of a public or private school where children attend preschool, kindergarten or grades one through 12, with the distance measured in a straight line from the nearest point of the school to the nearest point of the proposed marijuana establishment. That buffer sits inside the broader § 480-29 permitting scheme: every marijuana establishment needs an annual operating permit from the Board of Health, tied to a permanent, non-mobile Framingham location except for delivery-only operations, and applicants must submit a security plan and a waste disposal plan meeting 935 CMR 500.105(12) before a permit issues.
Permits are nontransferable under § 480-29I, meaning a change of ownership requires a brand-new application, and § 480-29K conditions renewal on having paid all outstanding fines with no unresolved appeals or suspensions. Section 480-29L adds a second layer of accountability: a permit can be denied renewal if the holder sold marijuana to someone under 21 twice within the same permit year and lost or waived any appeal. The Board of Health may also set hours of operation for any marijuana establishment under § 480-34C, in consultation with the Police Department, layering additional restriction on top of the 500-foot school buffer itself.
Violations & Fines
Section 480-35 gives the Board of Health, its designees and the Police Department authority to inspect and enforce the marijuana regulations, with at least two unscheduled compliance inspections required annually. A violation, including operating within the 500-foot school buffer, can draw a written warning, a fine, or suspension or revocation of the operating permit after a hearing; alternatively, violations may be enforced through the noncriminal disposition process under MGL c. 40, § 21D, and § 480-35H makes each day a violation continues a separate offense.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far must a Framingham marijuana establishment be from a school?
Can a Framingham marijuana operating permit be transferred to a new owner?
What happens if a Framingham marijuana establishment sells to a minor twice?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Framingham
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