There is budding interest in Massachusetts’ green economy.
Monday was the first day the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission accepted applications for marijuana business licenses, and response was swift. Regulators said they received 218 applications between noon Monday and Tuesday morning, Boston Magazine reports.
The organization had no issue processing the applications despite the volume, according to Massachusetts CCC Chairman Steve Hoffman. While 89 of the applications came from established dispensaries, the rest came from economic empowerment applicants who have to show they can benefit communities significantly impacted by marijuana law enforcement. Applications for independent testing labs, craft marijuana cooperatives, microbusinesses and cultivators will be accepted beginning May 1. Recreational marijuana sales in Massachusetts can begin July 1.
The road to legalized marijuana in the state has not been easy. Compassionate Organics was rejected in its attempt to open a dispensary in Allston and went through a heated debate in its quest to open a medical marijuana dispensary on Newbury Street in Back Bay. It was approved in November.
Host communities must sign off for a cannabis business to have a license from the CCC.
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