Legal Marijuana Sales Likely to Begin July 1st in Massachusetts
According to Steven Hoffman, Chair of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, legal marijuana sales should begin in the state by July of next year.
“My understanding is that it is an expectation, but not explicitly part of the law, that retail establishments open July 1 of 2018 and that’s our intent at this point,” says Hoffman, who makes it clear that this time-frame isn’t guaranteed; “if the reality is it can’t be done, it can’t be done”, he says. “But I don’t accept that right now.”
If sales do begin by July 1st, the Legislature’s target date will be met; they voted (when making amendments to the voter-approved legalization law) to begin licensing cannabis retail outlets June 1, 2018, as to allow sales to begin the next month.
The law allowing such outlets was approved by voters last year. The law allows anyone 21 and older to possess and purchase up to an ounce of cannabis; they can also grow up to 12 plants, and possess up to 10 ounces if at a private residence.