Mass. Regulators OK Cannabis Retailer In Great Barrington And Grow Operation In Franklin

State regulators have granted final approval for a retail marijuana store in Great Barrington, in the southwestern corner of Massachusetts, and a growing facility in Franklin to begin full operations later this week.

The Cannabis Control Commission on Monday issued a notice authorizing Theory Wellness to begin selling non-medical marijuana to adults 21 or older at its Great Barrington location, which currently operates as a medical marijuana dispensary.

If it opens on Friday, which is the earliest date the CCC will allow it to open to non-medical customers, Theory Wellness would be the sixth non-medical retailer to open in Massachusetts, joining other stores in Northampton, Easthampton, Leicester, Salem and Wareham.

According to CCC records, the Great Barrington store at 394 Stockbridge Road was granted a provisional license on Oct. 18, initially inspected by CCC staff on Oct. 29 and was granted a final license on Dec. 13.

The CCC on Monday also issued a notice authorizing New England Treatment Access to begin cultivation and product manufacturing operations for non-medical cannabis at its Franklin facility. NETA has already opened a recreational store in Northampton but had secured permission to transfer inventory from its medical supply.

NETA has been approved to grow up to 50,000 square feet of marijuana at 5 Forge Parkway in Franklin, and to produce cannabis concentrates, vaporizer cartridges, chocolate bars, chocolate caramels, lozenges, gummies, chocolate-covered morsels, baked goods, lotion, salve, capsules, tinctures and cooking oil, according to CCC documents.

Late last month, CCC Chairman Steven Hoffman said the CCC is in a "rhythm" now that could result in four to eight new retail stores coming online each month. The commission will meet on Thursday and is expected to vote to authorize more so-called final licenses. Getting from final licensure to commencing operations has taken roughly three to five weeks for the other businesses that have opened.