Green Tuesday: First recreational marijuana stores in Mass. set to open

The first two recreational marijuana stores in Massachusetts will open Tuesday at the same exact time, more than two years after voters approved recreational marijuana sales.

A spokeswoman for Cultivate in Leicester said the store planned to move up its regular 10 a.m. start time to 8 a.m. on Tuesday.

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New England Treatment Access in Northampton will also begin selling to recreational customers at 8 a.m. Tuesday.

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Both stores received final regulatory approval Friday from the state Cannabis Control Commission to open next week. They will be the first retail recreational marijuana stores to operate in the eastern U.S.

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Opening day details:

• Both stores will open at 8 a.m.
• Lines will form at 7 a.m. outside Cultivate, no overnight camping is allowed
• Sales are cash only
• You must be 21 or older and have a valid government-issued ID
• Massachusetts law prohibits the consumption of marijuana in public
• Purchase limits: 1 ounce of flower marijuana and/or 5 grams of marijuana concentrate
• FAQs on Mass. marijuana laws, rules | Responsible use

The openings come more than two full years after Massachusetts voters authorized legal recreational marijuana. Retail sales were originally slated to begin on July 1 but regulatory approvals were delayed.

Local police in Leicester said they're prepared for a big rush when the store opens.

Green Tuesday: First recreational marijuana stores in Massachusetts ready for opening day sales Green Tuesday: First recreational marijuana stores in Massachusetts ready for opening day sales

"We’re prepared and ready to go on Tuesday morning when Cultivate opens," Leicester Police Chief James Hurley said. "We’ve prepared a special operations plan that deals with everything from parking traffic to safety and security at the facility."

Part of the plan includes a satellite parking spot just down the road from Cultivate on Route 9, where customers will be shuttled back and forth to eliminate some traffic and congestion.

"Our offices are there to ensure that everyone gets in, gets their marijuana safely," Hurley said. "We’re not there to interfere. This is the law now."

Locals prepare as first legal pot stores in Mass. get set to open at same time Locals prepare as first legal pot stores in Mass. get set to open at same time

Employees at Dippin' Donuts in Leicester said they're ready for a surplus of visitors to stop through town when Cultivate opens their doors to recreational users Tuesday.

"Hopefully boost it in a positive way," Dippin' Donuts manager Tabatha Starr said. "We're hoping for it and we're more than willing to support it."

However, not everyone in Leicester is thrilled for the opening.

"I think it’s probably not going to be good for the neighborhood or the town," Leicester resident Chris Shevchuk said. "Attracting potheads from all across the state."

Some are still uneasy about the products getting into the wrong hands.

"It's the law because people wanted it," Shevchuk said. "But, I think they're gonna see there's issues that's gonna come of it."

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Like it or not, changes will be coming to Leicester on Tuesday.

"I'm hoping for the best," Starr said. "I'm rooting for it."

Customers must be at least 21 years old and have valid government identification. Marijuana cannot be consumed in public in Massachusetts.

The dispensary will also tax any purchase and limit how much one person can buy.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Cox Media Group