Possible Massachusetts recreational marijuana license delay shouldn’t slow sales launch

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The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission is allowed by state law to start issuing recreational marijuana business licenses June 1, but the agency’s top regulator suggested the first permits probably won’t be issued until a couple of weeks after that.

Such a delay is not expected to hold up the launch of Massachusetts’ recreational marijuana market, which is scheduled to go online July 1.

The initial wave of adult-use business licenses will go mostly to medical marijuana companies that are already operational.

“For them, it doesn’t matter whether they get their licenses on June 1 or June 30,” said Kris Krane, managing director of 4Front Ventures, a Boston-based cannabis consulting firm.

Commission chair Steven Hoffman told State House News Service that his agency is hitting its processing timelines, but he noted municipalities also have conditions that businesses must meet before they can become operational.

“We’re required to get feedback from the cities and towns that their requirements have been met, (and) I just can’t comment on their timeline,” Hoffman said.