On Monday, the Cannabis Control Commission launched its online licensing system to start accept business applications for marijuana licenses in Massachusetts. An article in the Boston Globe reports nearly 200 prospective operators have expressed interest in opening a recreational marijuana business in Massachusetts.
Two groups will have their applications processed first: medical marijuana dispensaries that are already open or have a provisional permit; and operators who qualify for the Commission’s economic empowerment program – companies that are led by, employ, or benefit members of communities that had high rates of arrests for drug crimes.
The expected start date for recreational sale of marijuana in Massachusetts is July 1.
Where do you think marijuana dispensaries should be located in the Boston area? Vote in our poll and add your comments in the section below.
Note: Web polls are not scientific, representing only those readers who choose to vote.
If I were going to operate one, I would pick High St. But if I really wanted business, I would have to say Beacon Hill, as close to the State House as possible.
Businesses need to pay 300k-500k to get a full liquor license in this neighborhood, people are against going bananas (a staple in this neighborhood) getting a beer and wine license, and if you smoke a cigarette people like at you like you have leprocy…. but people vote for a marijuana dispensary. unbelievable.
I’m sure this will not be a popular opinion but a dispensary/pot cafe would be perfect on Hanover st.
It is the perfect environment. Walkable. Close to public transportation. This will allow people to safely travel if intoxicated.
Also the local restaurants and bakeries would make a killing!!!!
I would love the idea of a Marijuana Distribution, but not on Hanover St, too congested already, and as far
as Restaurants & Bakeries making a killing, they already are Making a Killing. I think Cross Street
might be a great location. There is a great space to do it. The old Caffe Graffitti.
This is my third and final attempt to comment on this topic.I can’t understand that some people who consistently oppose another restaurant opening in the NE can be on board with supporting the possibilty of a marijuana dispensary opening in the neighborhood? I don’t get it?
Massachusetts sees marajuana sales as another way to raise revenues. Like tobacco products and alcohol they can add extra sin tax to collect more money. The licenses to sell and grow and produce make more money … for the state. For Massachusets this means more money to spend. If you look at the states that have legalized, pretty much all are high tax states. So this is another way to get money without having another tax increase. Colorado is moving forward with pot cafes, because they don’t want the customers to light up on the street. There is an ambivilance as to where they want these places. I’m guessing that there will be zoning issue, for instance, they might not want these within a certain distance from schools. Whether they are descrete or not is really a marketing question. A friend told me in Oregon they could be mistaken for an Apple store.
People are already getting marijuana, legally or not, and smoking it wherever they please. Take a walk down most any street in the City and you’ll get stoned just standing there! It’s appalling that there are not limitations on public/open use, like not being able to walk or drive with an open container of alcohol. How do we now keep the pot away from schools, drivers, restaurants and open public spaces?
The City of Denver, CO, seems to be overrun with blank-staring, wandering individuals who are totally under the influence of pot. It’s only a matter of time before Boston will resemble it. The US struggles with drunk driving deaths and other alcohol related issues yet, for the sake of tax $$$, we’ve allowed marijuana to become the new drug of choice.
RMS, as usual it’s all about the $$$$$$$.
Michael D There are over `100 restaurants in less than a quarter of a mile sq. radius. Those of us that have
lived here our entire lives have to walk out the street to go from point A to point B 8 or 9 months out of the
year. I am a Legal Marijuana User, I have a license, but I would never, ever want to disturb any residents
because of a Marijuana Dispensary. I thought it would be a good idea on Cross St. because there are not that
many people living above the area. There has to be a detail cop, and hours of operation could be from 10 am to 8 p.m.
Restaurants & Bars in the No. End close between 1 & 2 a.m., therefore we have people just talking in a normal
tone of voice walking thru our streets waking up other residents, who have to go to work the next day. As much
as I find Marijuana beneficial to my health, I wouldn’t want to cause anymore chaos than we already have.
Joan,we are not talking about medical marijuana ,we are talking about recreational marijuana and the type of clientele a dispensary would attract.I grew up in the NE as well and we dont need more zombies walking or driving into the neighborhood looking to get high.Their are enough junkies here now.
April is Alcohol Awarenest month. So, if A is for alchohol, the next May we have Marajuana Awarenest month? More stuff to cure.
Michael D. I am agreeing with you. We have a lot more drunks than junkies & I only wish we could get
rid of BOTH.
Agree on that most drunks are obnoxious and of course dangerous when they get behind the wheel of a car.Junkies are wastes who commit crimes to support their habit.Their responsible for most of the stolen packages,shoplifting ,car break ins ,bike thefts and other crimes committed in the NE.
I remember the bunch that used to hangout in front of Martinetti’s that was drawn by cheap alchohol. Just a bunch of drunks looking for a fix. The places in the neighborhood now are more upscale, and I don’t see that as much. I figure opening one of these places won’t be cheap and they won’t want the junkie types either. Also, because there is no federal legalization, they won’t be processing credit cards, so I assume they do a cash business means they won’t want to attract junkies even more with all the cash around. Also, I was in Denver about a year after they legalized and figured these places would be everywhere. They were either hard to spot or restricted to certain areas, but they certainly weren’t main street yet. I didn’t see the street usage that I expected. In fact, I said to someone that I saw more street usage in Boston, where it wasn’t legal at that time.