Leicester company granted state's first retail marijuana license

LEICESTER, Mass. — The Cannabis Control Commission approved the application for the first recreational marijuana retailer in Massachusetts.

The Leicester-based company currently sells medical marijuana and wants to add recreational marijuana to its business.

BREAKING on @boston25 news: Cannabis Control Commission approves provisional licensure to marijuana product manufacturer SIRA Naturals in #Milford and recreational marijuana applicant Cultivate Holdings of #Leicester
— Jim Morelli (@MorelliJim) July 2, 2018

After the results of the November 2016 ballot question legalized recreational marijuana, the state legislature delayed the retail openings several months, until July 1, but that date has now come and gone, with no retail stores opening.

Under state law, recreational marijuana must first be tested by an independent lab and none of those lab licenses have been approved.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE: Recreational marijuana coverage from Boston 25 News

A leading marijuana advocate, Jim Borghesani of Regulate Mass tells Boston 25 News some towns and cities are also issuing outright bans, while others are dragging their feet on applications.

"Sometimes you don't even know why they're not moving forward. There's a lot of frustration with cannabis businesses now," said Borghesani. "I think we'll see some open in 2018, but it's going to be a very slow roll out.

Overall, the Cannabis Control Commission's website states 59 license applications have submitted all required packets.

It's unclear when Cultivate will be ready and able to sell recreational marijuana products. The owner believes they will be ready by September.

COMING UP on @boston25 News At 4: CULTIVATE HOLDINGS of #Leicester gets first recreational retail marijuana license in state. Owner optimistic store can open by September.
— Jim Morelli (@MorelliJim) July 2, 2018