Lags In Massachusetts' Legal Marijuana Industry Hinder Those Looking To Benefit

Recreational marijuana shops were supposed to open in Massachusetts on July 1, yet here we are — more than a month later — and there are no stores where you can buy it.

State regulators are working on approving business licenses and certifying an independent testing lab.

But things aren't moving along nearly as quickly as promised. Some potential retailers are also facing roadblocks as cities and towns have imposed bans, moratoriums and zoning restrictions on legal marijuana businesses.

So why is this taking so long to figure out? And when can we expect things to be running smoothly?

Steve Brown, WBUR State House reporter. He tweets at @WBURSteve. 

Jim Smith, attorney at Smith, Costello, and Crawford.

Steve Hoffman, chairman of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission. The commission tweets @MA_Cannabis.

Dan Matthews, chairman of Needham Select Board.