Town adopts application process for recreational marijuana dispensaries
Apr 23, 2019
With at least a half dozen marijuana companies clamoring for permits to sell recreational pot in Dartmouth, officials decided Monday to put out a "request for qualifications" to all who are interested.
At the April 22 Select Board meeting, the board approved using the application process to determine who will get a shot at the town’s three available recreational marijuana host agreements. The total number of retail marijuana businesses that could operate in town is derived from the number of liquor licenses the town issues.
Due to the immense interest and limited licenses available, Town Administrator Shawn MacInnes explained the process was chosen as the best way to move recreational marijuana forward.
“Because of the number of interested parties, it was determined that a request for qualifications would be the most equitable way to evaluate proposals,” MacInnes said.
Interested businesses will be able to apply by the end of the month. Responses will be due in late May.
Town officials, through an internal group made up of police and town officials, will review the responses for about a month. MacInnes said the first host agreement could be ready to be signed by the end of June or early July.
Once complete, two more requests for qualifications will be issued to fill the remaining two spots. MacInnes said the goal is to have all three host agreements signed by late October or early November.
However, once the host agreements are signed, don’t expect to see a shop open up overnight. Prospective companies will still need to file and be issued a license from the state Cannabis Control Commission. A host agreement must be in place before a company can apply for a state license.
It is unclear just how long that could take.
The new initiative comes nine months after town voters approved a zoning bylaw which carved out a narrow area of town along Faunce Corner Road where recreational marijuana retailers could operate. Voters approved a temporary moratorium at the 2017 Spring Town Meeting, to allow the town more time to get a bylaw in place.
