Nearly Half of MA Medical Marijuana Dispensary Licenses Eliminated

Saturday, June 28, 2014

GoLocalWorcester News Team

Nine of the 20 applicants given initial approval to open up a medical marijuana dispensary in Massachusetts have now been denied, according to the Department of Public Health in a press release.

Only 11 dispensaries will be awarded preliminary licenses, which will advance them to the inspection phase of the selection process. The state has the authority to issue up to 35 licenses in the first round.

“This process is designed to ensure only the highest quality applicants advance to meet the patient access and public safety needs of the Commonwealth,” said Karen van Unen, executive director of DPH’s Medical Use of Marijuana Program. “Those advancing have passed comprehensive background checks and investigative reviews. Prior to opening, each must comply with all inspection and municipal requirements.”

While 20 applications were initially approved, nine were denied because although they cleared the enhanced investigation process, they were still subjected to a final inspection, which they failed.

The selection process had been delayed for months after a number of concerns arose about misrepresentations and conflicts of interest with several of the applicants. State officials had acknowledged that they hadn’t checked the authenticity of applicants’ claims before the initial January announcement.

According to the department, the first group of dispensaries could be open by November. The press release says that residents of Massachusetts will live within 30 miles of any one of the dispensaries.