4 More Recreational Marijuana Retailers Get Final License

Four more retail marijuana shops received final licenses from the state's marijuana regulator as the number of spots to score pot are expected to increase exponentially heading into the new year.

During Thursday's Cannabis Control Commission hearing, Northeast Alternatives in Fall River, Theory Wellness in Great Barrington and Temescal Wellness in Hudson and Pittsfield got the OK to begin amassing inventory. They still will need a final go-ahead to begin sales.

The state's first marijuana facility east of Worcester opens Saturday. Alternative Therapies Group in Salem will be appointment-only. Read: How To Buy Marijuana (Legally) In Salem

ATG's opening is expected to provide traffic relief in Leicester and Northampton, where the first two recreational marijuana retailers opened more than three weeks ago. The two stores have been pulling in more than $2 million sales per week since opening.

The CCC has now granted 52 provisional licenses, 17 final licenses, and has given the ultimate green light to begin operations to three retailers, two testing laboratories, a cultivator and a marijuana product manufacturer, according to the State House News Service.

"I think you're going to see, every couple of weeks, a couple of new stores and not just stores, but cultivation sites and manufacturing facilities," CCC Chairman Steven Hoffman said in November.

Read also:

• Salem Expects Big Crowds When First Pot Shop Opens
• State Approves First Retail Marijuana License For Salem
• Salem Says No To Two Highland Avenue Marijuana Store Proposals
• Recreational Marijuana Stores: Where To Expect Them Next

Photo by Jimmy Bentley, Patch