Massachusetts new recreational marijuana industry is expected to offer many opportunities for MJ-related entrepreneurs provided state lawmakers dont slow or extensively revamp the program and municipalities permit retail shops.
Last month, 54% of Massachusetts voters approved ballot Question 4 legalizing adult-use cannabis, creating one of the East Coasts first adult-use programs along with Maine.
Within a few years of the programs launch, Massachusetts recreational market could generate annual retail sales of $650 million-$750 million, according to initial estimates by Marijuana Business Daily, fueled in part by tourists coming from other states in the Northeast.
The states first retail shops could open in early 2018.
Industry officials said the new program should allow dozens of licenses if not more in all major cannabis sectors, ranging from growers to retail shops and manufacturers. It should also generate ample opportunities for a wide range of ancillary businesses, including technology and security firms.
In addition, the ballot measure doesnt impose a residency requirement for businesses after at least a year, creating potential opportunities for cannabis executives in other states who want to expand to the East Coast.
Moreover, Massachusetts adult-use program is expected to work in tandem with the states existing medical marijuana industry.
Its a good law that allows for responsible business growth, said Adam Fine, attorney with cannabis law firm Vicente Sederberg. It takes into account the concerns that our opponents and everyone had around the public health and the public safety issues.
However, state lawmakers, including state Treasurer Deborah Goldberg, have discussed making changes to the program. Goldberg said in November she wants to delay the planned January 2018 rollout of rec shops and would like to up the states 3.75% marijuana sales tax.
Local selectmen also have dragged their feet in the MMJ sector. Only seven dispensaries have opened since voters overwhelmingly approved medical cannabis four years ago, indicating potential challenges for the rec market.
Business opportunities
I think the opportunity is tremendous given the market size overall, Fine said. Coupled with the general infancy of the medical market there is a lot of pent-up demand for cannabis, he added.
Jim Borghesani, director of communications for the Yes on 4 campaign, highlighted four ripe for entrepreneurs:
- Retail sales
- Cultivation
- Manufacturing
- Testing
Fine sees cultivation offering many opportunities. The slow development of the MMJ industry has left room for growth. The retail side will be attractive, too provided business owners can find a suitable location. So far, dispensary license holders have had trouble locating their businesses, given that some municipalities have resisted the industry.
As far as ancillary businesses, Fine anticipates similar opportunities as those in Colorado, with software businesses, compliance work, general construction jobs, transportation, security and testing. He also sees strong possibilities resulting from Massachusetts thriving tech sector.
Boston has an established footprint in biotech thanks to the existing pharmaceutical companies there. That skilled workforce might be interested in a change.
Borghesani sees business potential in infrastructure, including heating, ventilation and air conditioning businesses, electrical firms, as well as expertise involving cultivation and extraction techniques.
The people who have those skills will be in great demand once the industry gets going in Massachusetts, he said.
Number, types of licenses
The Question 4 ballot measure does not require vertical integration.
In the first year, there will be a total of 75 available licenses, and each license holder can apply for a license in each of the following categories:
- Retail shops
- Product manufacturers
- Cultivators
- Testing facilities
After the first year, the new state Cannabis Control Commission can decide whether to impose a statewide licensing cap. Barring that, there would be no limit.
Fine, who helped draft the initiative, said the measure was written to allow for new license holders, as opposed to allowing existing MMJ license holders to gobble up the market.
We want an environment where theres competition, he said.
However, for the first year, only the roughly 90 applicants who previously submitted MMJ applications by Oct. 1, 2015 and obtained a provisional registration before Dec. 15, 2016 will be considered for new licenses. New applicants will then have a shot at licenses after 2017.
The application process should be perfunctory, Fine said, similar to applying for an ordinary business license. There wont be any residency requirements after at least the first year.
The application process includes basic requirements, including a background check and fees. The state then checks in with the town or city where the business is proposed, and as long as there is no problem at the local level, then the applicant gets a license.
After the initial $3,000 initial application, annual renewal fees are:
- $15,000 retail store
- $15,000 product manufacturer
- $15,000 cultivator
- $10,000 testing facility
Each municipality can decide to limit licenses and set that cap at 20% of the number of local liquor stores. Thats the lowest a cap can be set without a statewide vote. However, a town or city can ban marijuana business with a simple ballot vote.
Medical and recreational
Both Fine and Borghesani believe the two sectors will coexist from a facility and an operational standpoint.
Medical marijuana patients wont pay a tax on their medicine and dispensaries will likely offer products that wont be as readily available in rec shops, such as low-THC, high-CBD cannabis.
The initiative allows for colocation, similar to the two-counter system in Colorado where customers can purchase medical and recreational cannabis in the same store.
Timeline
The first key date was Dec. 15, when possession and home growing became legal.
The next is the appointments to the new Cannabis Advisory Board and the Cannabis Control Commission.
The advisory board consists of 15 unpaid members, who meet at least four times a year. The governor is scheduled to appoint the members by Feb. 1, 2017. Theyre supposed to represent a variety of industry experts who advise the control commission.
The state treasurer is scheduled to appoint members to the control commission on March 1, 2017. The agency must finalize its regulations by Sept. 15, 2017.
The control commission is slated to begin accepting license applications on Oct. 1, 2017. The agency has 90 days to approve licenses.
By early 2018, Massachusetts could see adult-use stores open.
Its an aggressive, but doable, time frame, Fine said.
Biggest challenges
A prospective business owner should anticipate some regulatory uncertainty, Fine said.
Borghesani said the legislature has repeatedly suggested it will make changes to the law, though no clear proposal has been put forward.
Among other things, hes heard lawmakers discuss revising down the number of plants people can grow at home, and boosting taxes and blocking the sales of edibles. Another possibility: The legislature could decide to delay the rollout by six months or a year.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker
Full Article: Massachusetts’ Recreational Cannabis Looks Promising, But Possible Hurdles Loom
Author: Bart Schaneman
Contact: MassCentral
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Website: MassCentral
