Marijuana regulators in Massachusetts issued final licenses to operators planning to open the state’s first commercial pot shops. The Cannabis Control Commission issuing on Thursday licenses to both Cultivate Holdings in Leicester and New England Treatment Access in Northampton.
Both companies received provisional licenses back in July and operate medical marijuana dispensaries. In order to sell recreational marijuana, the companies had to pass inspections, pay license fees and prove they are in complete compliance with all local ordinances and zoning requirements.
Both stores are not scheduled to open for another several weeks.
Massachusetts voters approved legalizing recreational marijuana for adults in November 2016. Marijuana stores are available in six western states: Alaska, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.