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BOSTON, Mass. (WBZ-AM) -- Members of the state’s Cannabis Control Commission entered their meeting in Boston today with smiles on their faces, recognizing the historic nature of the day.
The state’s first cannabis retail shops opened earlier today to major demand. Cultivate in Leicester and NETA in Northampton each had waits of at least an hour to get in for purchases.
Commission chair Stephen Hoffman opened the meeting by quoting Winston Churchill. “Now is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end, but perhaps, the end of the beginning.”
The Commission went on to make more history by approving two final retail licenses for two shops – INSA in Easthampton and Alternative Therapies Group in Salem. This means, in a matter of days, Massachusetts could have its first retail marijuana shop inside 495.
The Commission also voted unanimously to approve provisional licenses for 12 businesses, four of which are retail locations.
As of today, the Commission reports there have been 3,941 applications submitted to them for retail, growing, lab or other operations. Out of those, 926 are pending and 256 have been withdrawn.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports: