Massachusetts’ recreational marijuana program is set to launch July 1, but cannabis business executives in the state predict that fewer than a dozen retail marijuana stores will be ready to open.
“It’s going to take 18 to 24 months until there’s a robust retail marketplace,” David Torrisi, president of the Commonwealth Dispensary Association, told The Boston Globe.
Furthermore, many Massachusetts towns will grant marijuana businesses a so-called community host agreement – a requirement to get a license – only if they’ve paid fees that are often exorbitant.
For example, medical cannabis company CommCan bought the town of Medway $263,000 in fire department equipment and paid an additional $55,000 in fees, the Globe noted.
Then to get the community host agreement required for a rec license, CommCan agreed to pay the town $500,000 over five years.