Massachusetts

Regulators Issue Green Light for Recreational Sales at Salem, Mass. Marijuana Shop

Alternative Therapies Group, Inc. officials and city leaders say they've agreed to make recreational sales appointment-only for the time being

What to Know

  • Alternative Therapies Group in Salem, Massachusetts, will be allowed to sell recreational marijuana as soon as Saturday.
  • Recreational marijuana customers will be required to make an appointment online for the time being, according to officials.
  • The Salem dispensary becomes the Bay State's third recreational marijuana shop.

Massachusetts' marijuana regulators have issued a notice allowing for a third dispensary to open up in the Bay State, weeks after the first two shops opened.

Alternative Therapies Group, Inc. (ATG) in Salem has been given the green light to open its doors for retail operations starting Saturday, the Cannabis Control Commission said.

The Grove Street shop will become the third retailer to open its doors, following the lead of Cultivate in Leicester and New England Treatment Access in Northampton just before Thanksgiving.

Salem police tell NBC10 Boston that after a meeting with ATG and city leaders Tuesday morning, recreational sales will be by appointment only, and the shop will not take walk-ins.

Those who wish to go to the shop will have to go online to make an appointment and then show up on time; however, this measure is only in place until the hype has died down, according to officials. Security will check customers' IDs and reservation.

Hours of operation will be from 9 a.m. to 6:45 p.m., and there will also be a shuttle service from the train station to the store.

ATG has been in operation since 2015 as the state's first medical marijuana dispensary.

Founder Christopher Edwards said ATG has been preparing for recreational sales this year by scaling up production and hiring more staff.

Massachusetts approved of allowing recreational marijuana sales back in 2016.

Tax revenue projections from recreational marijuana sales could top out at $80 million this year alone, according to the state's Department of Revenue. However, locals have complained about traffic congestion caused by crowds eager to legally purchase marijuana.

Contact Us