Massachusetts on Path For Cannabis Availability in State

[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]M[/dropcap]assachusetts finally laid down some stone on the path to recreational cannabis availability in the state.

On Oct. 18, the state’s Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) signed off on two final licenses for cannabis testing laboratories as well as several provisional licenses. The state legalized cannabis for recreational use in November 2016 but has failed to get the program running during the timeline presented. Cannabis supporters have been frustrated with the slow pace of the CCC and their extended timelines compared to other types of business.

The two laboratory facilities are MCR Labs in Framingham and CDX Analytics in Salem. The facilities were granted provisional licenses previously and have already been testing cannabis products for the state’s medical cannabis industry.

Provisional licenses were handed out as well. Retail licenses were awarded to Caroline’s Cannabis of Uxbridge and Theory Wellness, Inc. of Great Barrington. Provisional licenses were also given to Commonwealth Cultivation Inc, Curaleaf Massachusetts Inc. and East Coast Organics. “One more piece of the puzzle, coming together,” said Steve Hoffman, commission chairman, who declined to give a final date for when retail cannabis shops would open in the state. “We’re getting very close. I mean, I don’t think there’s any merit in me saying two weeks, three weeks, four weeks.”

Two retail businesses, Cultivate Holdings in Leicester and New England treatment Access received final licensing. Cultivate Holdings also received licensing for processing and cultivation as well.

Businesses must meet several requirements before opening their doors even with having a final license assigned to them. “It’s a complicated process, it is a controversial process,” Hoffman told reporters after the CCC meeting. “We have always said we’re going to get this right and that’s more important to us than an artificial deadline.”