SALEM (WBZ-AM) -- Alternative Therapies Group will be opening the first retail pot shop in Eastern Massachusetts this Saturday. The Grove Street facility got the go-ahead from regulators to add recreational marijuana to their existing medical facility.
But for some in town, there are concerns around traffic, parking, and the amount of people coming into town. There have been such issues around the first two opened shops in Leicester and Northampton--but there is a different strategy in Salem that Mayor Kim Driscoll hopes will help.
"ATG is using a reservation system, so anybody coming to purchase product will need to have an online reservation," she said.
Those reservations can be made on ATG's website, atgma.org. Anyone without a reservation will be turned away.
Mayor Driscoll said she won't be a customer at the store, but will be keeping an eye on the store's impact.
"I'll definitely be monitoring what's happening," she said. "We want to be mindful of how the day is proceeding. The plans are meant to be flexible so we can bring in additional resources if we need it. But I'm not planning on purchasing anything!"
Shuttle buses from the MBTA Commuter Rail station to the facility will be provided for those who do have appointments. There will also be added security details and parking restrictions--the city is preparing for the opening as they would for other large-scale events for planning and logistics.
WBZ NewsRadio's Ben Parker (@radiobenparker) reports