The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) yesterday announced that the first phase of review of applications for registered marijuana dispensaries has been completed, with 158 applicants eligible to move on to phase two of the selection process.
The department received 181 phase one applications on August 22, which were reviewed for non-profit status, financial viability and compliance with other application requirements. A list of approved applicants can be found here.
"This is a very competitive process and we required applicants to meet high standards to advance," DPH Commissioner Cheryl Bartlett said in a statement. "We are fortunate that Massachusetts has a large field of serious applicants who are capable of making a significant investment to benefit qualified patients and safeguard communities. While no decision to deny an applicant was taken lightly, we wanted to ensure that those who advance could demonstrate the ability to operate a successful non-profit registered marijuana dispensary."
Twenty-two applicants did not meet the criteria to proceed to phase two and one applicant withdrew from the process. Applications were denied for a variety of reasons, including failing to incorporate as a non-profit or a lack of demonstrated financial viability.
Once phase two applications are in, a selection committee will evaluate and score them based on such factors as ability to meet the health needs of registered patients, appropriateness of the site, geographical distribution of dispensaries and local support.
The voter-approved law allows DPH to register up to 35 non-profit registered marijuana dispensaries across the state in the first year, with at least one, but no more than five dispensaries per county.
Phase two applicants will be asked to demonstrate local support during the department’s review process and must show that they can comply with all municipal rules, regulations, ordinances and bylaws. The department is also developing a database that will track patient and physician registrations that will be available to law enforcement.
