1st dispensary opens in Massachusetts
long time coming
First Massachusetts Dispensary Opening Renews Hope for Entrepreneurs, Investors
Alternative Therapies Group (ATG) in Salem received a three-month waiver from Gov. Baker’s office last week to forgo testing requirements.
Several dispensaries are expected to open in the next six to 12 months, but it may be a very slow rollout.
The state has awarded provisional permits to just 15 companies, even though it’s allowed to issue as many as 35. Of the companies given tentative approval, only four – including ATG – have been given the green light to cultivate medical cannabis.
Massachusetts’ cannabis industry has been delayed numerous time since 63% of voters approved a bill legalizing medical marijuana in November 2012. Several companies that weren’t awarded licenses initially filed suit, claiming the selection process was flawed. The state also rescinded some of the licenses it initially awarded.
In Massachusetts, being caught with less than an ounce of marijuana is punishable by a $100 fine while obtaining a medical marijuana card costs about $400.
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