Massachusetts

Mayor Marty Walsh Approves Overhauling Boston's Marijuana Review Process

Boston's mayor has approved an overhaul of the city's marijuana business review process meant to boost the involvement of minority entrepreneurs in Massachusetts' burgeoning pot industry.

The ordinance signed by Democratic Mayor Marty Walsh Tuesday calls for the creation of an independent Cannabis Board.

It also requires half of Boston's marijuana licenses go to companies from communities affected by the war on drugs, and creates a new local fund dedicated to supporting minority-owned marijuana companies.

Councilor Kim Janey says her proposal makes Boston's "opaque" review process more transparent and provides "economic justice" to communities so far shut out of the marijuana trade.

Walsh has reached agreements with 14 marijuana businesses proposing to open in Boston. No retail pot shop has opened in the city since Massachusetts legalized marijuana in 2016.

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