Two Massachusetts cannabis commissioners feel the name of the business appeals to children, and noted the link to the 1960s song “Puff, the Magic Dragon,” by Peter, Paul and Mary.”it could appeal to children and also create problems with marijuana advertising regulations.”
MassLive reports
Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commissioner Britte McBride pulled out a book at Thursday’s commission meeting, showing off a title that referenced a magic dragon.
The show-and-tell was to accompany the discussion about a license for Magic Dragon LLC, which seeks to open a marijuana microbusiness in Worcester. Two commissioners feel the name of the business appeals to children, and noted the link to the 1960s song “Puff, the Magic Dragon,” by Peter, Paul and Mary.
“This actually is in my kid’s bookcase at home,” McBride said, holding the book, “and everyone’s familiar with the song and people can debate the origins of the song.”
Commissioner Jennifer Flanagan said she had serious concerns with the name of the business because it could appeal to children and also create problems with marijuana advertising regulations.
“I don’t see how a name of Magic Dragon is going to be able to advertise when in my opinion, and I think in the history of children’s books opinions, I think it appeals to children,” Flanagan said, requesting that the staff speak with the entity about its name.
Magic Dragon LLC wants to open a marijuana microbusiness, with cultivation and product manufacturing operations. Members of the state CCC approved a provisional license for the business under the condition that the company speak with regulators about its name.
“These are tough calls and I don’t necessarily know what the right thing to do is,” McBride said.
Commission Chairman Steven Hoffman said with a laugh that he loved the song “Puff the Magic Dragon.” Through the decades, people have debated whether or not the song is about marijuana.
“It is a judgment call,” Hoffman said after the meeting. “Between now and when the application comes back to be reviewed for a final license, they have a choice to make. It’s their choice, but if the name remains the same, we’ll have a discussion and we’ll use our best judgment.”
Hoffman said the commission has not rejected an application over a name before.
“It’s very important that this is an adult industry that marketing and branding is targeted to people over 21 and we take that very seriously,” Hoffman said.
CCC documents list David Aiello as the owner of Magic Dragon. The documents indicate the microbusiness plans to produce cone-shaped, hand-rolled cannabis cigars.
Magic Dragon reached a host community agreement with the city of Worcester on March 21, 2019, and had its a community outreach meeting on Oct. 25, 2019, according to documents.
