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Two Marijuana Stores Are Now Cleared To Open In Berkshire County

Berkshire County in Massachusetts may soon see its first two marijuana retail stores. One in Great Barrington opens Friday, and one in Pittsfield is now cleared to open as early as Saturday.

The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission added Temescal Wellness in Pittsfield on Tuesday to its list of marijuana "establishments authorized to commence operations."

The Pittsfield store already operates as a medical marijuana dispensary. As of Saturday, it can begin selling non-medical marijuana, too. A Temescal Wellness location in Hudson was also granted a license Tuesday.

According to CCC documents, both Temescal stores were granted provisional licenses on September 20. The Hudson store was initially inspected by CCC staff on October 16 and the Pittsfield store was first inspected on October 18. Both received final licensure on December 13.

The first non-medical pot shops in the Bay State opened on November 20. A total of five have opened to consumers — in Leicester, Northampton, Salem, Wareham and Easthampton.

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 Thursday, and is expected to vote to authorize two more final licenses for Temescal Wellness, allowing the company to grow up to 10,000 square feet of cannabis and also to produce marijuana products at its facility at 141 SW Cutoff in Worcester.

Getting from final licensure to commencing operations has taken roughly three to five weeks for the other businesses that have opened.

The CCC on Thursday is also slated to vote on eight provisional licenses, including one for a Mass. Alternative Care retail store in Chicopee.

This report includes information from State House News Service.

Pre-rolled marijuana joints for medical sale at Temescal Wellness in Worcester, Massachusetts.
Aviva Luttrell / MassLive / masslive.com/photos
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MassLive / masslive.com/photos
Pre-rolled marijuana joints for medical sale at Temescal Wellness in Worcester, Massachusetts.

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