A Massachusetts cannabis company filed suit against the state, alleging that unnecessary delays on one of its business licenses has cost it $1.2 million.
According to the Boston Business Journal, Northeast Alternatives filed suit against Massachusetts cannabis regulators in Suffolk Superior Court on Sept. 14, asking a judge to force the state’s Cannabis Control Commission to act on its license application, which has been awaiting approval or denial since February.
The suit alleges that Northeast Alternatives’ application was finalized Feb. 20, when the town of Lakeville notified the commission that the company had completed all local requirements. The commission then, under state law, had 90 days to act on the application.
In the interim, the lawsuit alleges, the company has continued to pay $200,000 a month in rent, meaning the eight-month wait has cost the company an extra $1.2 million while the commission has yet to make a decision about the license application.
Northeast Alternatives already has a medical and recreational marijuana storefront operating in Fall River, along with a grow and manufacturing facility. The Lakeville outlet would be the company’s second storefront once it’s licensed.
