For Immediate Release: 7/6/2018 4:11 pm
The City of Worcester has issued a Request for Interest (RFI) to prospective Marijuana Establishment operators. The local process will allow for a uniform approach to reviewing applications of parties seeking to operate a Marijuana Establishment in the City and to meet the requirements of M.G.L. c. 94G and its implementing regulations 935 CMR 500.
As part of the state law and regulations, Worcester is required to facilitate the establishment of up to 15 regulated Marijuana Retailers. There is currently no cap on other types of marijuana establishments including cultivators and testing laboratories.
As part of the RFI, applicants will submit to the City: completed PDF copies of the Application of Intent, Management and Operations Profile and any other documents required by the Commonwealth’s Cannabis Control Commission.
Following review of the materials by the City’s Cannabis Review Committee, selected applicants will be invited to negotiate a Community Host Agreement with the City. Certification of a signed Community Host Agreement is a requirement of the Cannabis Control Commission’s licensing process as well as a requirement to receive a special permit from the City’s Planning Board.
The City will review applications based on factors including location, capacity to meet City and state licensure and regulatory requirements, diversity of applicants including status as an Economic Empowerment Applicant, and feedback from the mandatory community outreach meeting.
The deadline to respond to the RFI is August 24. The RFI and additional information can be found at www.worcesterma.gov/marijuana.
