20 Dispensaries Approved to Open in Massachusetts

Massachusetts awarded its first medical marijuana dispensary licenses this week, approving 20 applications.

The first dispensaries could start serving medical marijuana patients as early as summer. Revenues are projected to be near $40 million annually, but that could grow substantially when more dispensaries are approved and open.

The state initially received abut 200 applications, but that dwindled to 100.

Among the winners is former Congressman William Delahunt, whose nonprofit, Medical Marijuana of Massachusetts, was approved to open three dispensaries. Medical Marijuana of Massachusetts also received an application score of 160, the highest given by the state.

This will certainly be controversial as many dispensary applicants were concerned that state health officials would favor bids by Delahunt and others who have connections in Massachusetts politics.

Only two dispensaries were approved for Boston in Suffolk County. Initially, no towns will get more than one dispensary, though four were approved for Middlesex County, which has the highest population of 1.5 million.

View the approved MA dispensaries.