[ad_1]
The long wait for the start of marijuana sales for recreational purposes in Massachusetts is almost over, with the opening of the first commercial marmite stores on Tuesday.
It's hard to talk about a robust launch with just two stores originally opened in Leicester and Northampton. But they can boast of being the first in the eastern United States, while the commercial cannabis industry seeks to expand its geographic base in a context of growing acceptance by the public.
Massachusetts voted to legalize marijuana for recreational purposes in 2016, but it took more than two years to reach this point.
Some things to know:
First sales
The first pottery stores will open at 8 am in Northampton, a small town in western Massachusetts, and in Leicester, a city in central Massachusetts. Both stores are already operating as medical marijuana dispensaries, but they are the first to be licensed by state control authorities to sell recreational jars to adults 21 years of age and older.
The first symbolic buyers have already been chosen.
Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz will usher in a new era of legal marijuana in his hometown by making the first purchase at New England Treatment Access.
Stephen Mandile, a disabled war veteran from Iraq and a medical marijuana advocate, was chosen as the first to buy at Cultivate in Leicester, the Boston Globe reported.
What should buyers bring?
Consumers will be required to present a piece of government issued identification to enter stores, regardless of age or appearance.
Driver's licenses and passports will be part of the accepted documents.
Bringing money is also a good idea at least during the initial period of legal sale. The federal ban on marijuana means that most banks and credit card companies do not serve marijuana companies.
A spokesman for the Northampton store said he would accept some debit and credit cards with four-digit pins. A spokeswoman for the Leicester store said she would only accept cash during the first few hours of sales, although the debit may be available later on Tuesday.
ARE LONG LINES EXPECTED?
On the basis of what happened when other legal states – and Canada – started retail sales, yes.
It is safe to assume that crowds will gather at the opening of the first stores. There is no doubt that many people are eager to be among the first on the East Coast to legally purchase recreational pot.
"It will look like one thing on the first day and another on the 100th day," said Norton Albaraez, spokesman for the Northampton store.
In other words, anyone who does not want to take care of the initial crowd might consider waiting a few weeks or months until things calm down.
To speed up purchases and advance the lines, the stores suggest people familiarize themselves with the products available on the company's website before they arrive at the store.
WHAT WILL BE SOLD?
Marijuana products come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors and potencies. Much of what is offered can be divided into categories of cannabis flower, cannabis extract (often called concentrate) and cannabis-infused products.
The "flower" refers to the part of the marijuana plant that can usually be wrapped in a joint (stores also offer pre-wound joints). It comes in several variations and often with exotic brands such as Tangerine Haze, Purple Punch and Buddha's Sister. The strains differ in levels of THC, the psychoactive chemical of marijuana.
Concentrates include waxes, oils and dyes. Edible products are the most common form of cannabis-infused products and often include brownies, chocolate bars, gummies and lozenges.
National regulations limit the activity levels of edible products to 5 milligrams of maximum THC per serving. A pack of food products can not contain more than 20 single servings.
HOW MUCH DOES IT BUY?
National regulations limit total purchases from a single customer to an ounce of flower or its concentrate equivalent. Stores can also set their own limits, at least initially, in the hope of minimizing the inevitable supply shortages during the initial selling period.
Weed is still illegal in public spaces, so that consumers will not be able to taste anything inside the store, the outdoor parking of the store, or in a public park near the store. It can be used – legally – only in homes or other private spaces.
WHAT IS TAXES?
Recreational marijuana sales are subject to the 6.25% Massachusetts Sales Tax, a 10.75% excise tax, and a 3% local tax. This corresponds to a 20% tax paid by the consumer at the time of purchase.
Medical marijuana remains untaxed.
WHEN WILL MORE STORES BE OPEN?
The slow deployment of recreational marijuana sales is expected to continue for some time in Massachusetts.
A third store, located in the city of Wareham, near Cape Cod, has received a definitive license and could open soon.
For now, this still leaves large sections of the state without easy access to legal marijuana for recreational purposes, including all of Greater Boston, where more than half of the state's population resides.
Where is marijuana a law?
Marijuana sales for recreational purposes are legal in Colorado, Washington State, Oregon, Alaska, California and Nevada. Maine is expected to begin legal sales next year.
Marijuana use by adults is also legal in Vermont and the District of Columbia, but there is no provision for legal sales in both locations.
In November, Michigan became the first Midwestern state to approve a recreational pot measure. Sales could start in 2020.
Source link
