Mass. approves first 20 medical marijuana dispensaries

MASSACHUSETTS HAS APPROVED the first 20 registered medical marijuana dispensaries in the state, spread across 10 of the state's 14 counties, including two dispensaries in Bristol County. Above, a map of the 20 locations selected. / COURTESY MASSACHUSETTS EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
MASSACHUSETTS HAS APPROVED the first 20 registered medical marijuana dispensaries in the state, spread across 10 of the state's 14 counties, including two dispensaries in Bristol County. Above, a map of the 20 locations selected. / COURTESY MASSACHUSETTS EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

BOSTON – The Mass. Executive Office of Health and Human Services announced the selection of the first 20 registered marijuana dispensaries on Friday, including two in Bristol County.

The dispensaries, authorized under the Massachusetts Medical Use of Marijuana Program, were chosen after review of 100 applicant finalists and extensive background checks. Twenty dispensaries were selected for approval based on overall quality of the application, appropriateness of the site, local support, and the applicant’s ability to meet patients’ health needs “while ensuring public safety,” the Office of Health and Human Services said.

Three sites operated by Medical Marijuana of Massachusetts Inc. were approved as registered dispensaries, including a location in Taunton. The other medical marijuana dispensary in Bristol County is located in Fairhaven and operated by Brighton Health Advocates Inc.

“We are pleased to announce that qualified patients will soon have full access to marijuana for medical use in Massachusetts,” said Karen van Unen, executive director of the Medical Use of Marijuana Program. “Only dispensaries with the highest quality applications were selected to be a part of this new industry, which will create hundreds of jobs while maintaining community safety.”

- Advertisement -

The other 18 approved dispensaries are located across nine different counties:

  • Barnstable County: Medical Marijuana of Massachusetts Inc. (Mashpee, Mass.) and William Noyes Webster Foundation Inc. (Dennis, Mass.)
  • Essex County: Alternative Therapies Group Inc. (Salem, Mass.) and Health Pharms Inc. (Haverhill, Mass.)
  • Hampden County: Debilitating Medical Condition Treatment Centers Inc. (Holyoke, Mass.)
  • Hampshire County: New England Treatment Access Inc. (Northampton, Mass.)
  • Middlesex County: Patrio Care Corp. (Lowell, Mass.), Central Ave Compassionate Care Inc. (Ayer, Mass.), Garden Remedies Inc. (Newton, Mass.) and The Greeneway Wellness Foundation Inc. (Cambridge, Mass.)
  • Norfolk County: New England Treatment Access Inc. (Brookline, Mass.) and Ermont (Quincy, Mass.)
  • Plymouth County: Medical Marijuana of Massachusetts Inc. (Plymouth, Mass.) and In Good Health Inc. (Brockton, Mass.)
  • Suffolk County: Good Chemistry of Massachusetts Inc. (Boston) and Green Heart Holistic Health & Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Boston)
  • Worcester County: Bay State Relief Inc. (Milford, Mass.) and Good Chemistry of Massachusetts Inc. (Worcester, Mass.)

The law that established the Massachusetts Medical Use of Marijuana Program allows for up to 35 dispensaries across the state. All approved applicants are nonprofit entities responsible for seed-to-sale control of the business, including the dispensary and secure cultivation facility, the Office of Health and Human Services said.

No posts to display