Medford voters approved recreational marijuana dispensaries (with regulations) in a citywide election in November 2016. The Medford City Council began working on an ordinance in 2016 and approved zoning amendments to support the siting of these dispensaries, in September 2020, with a vote to adopt a Cannabis Advisory Committee in November 2020. A Committee was convened and began its process in February 2021 with final recommendations submitted in Fall 2021. The Mayor signed the first retail marijuana HCA in March 2022, and the second in June 2022, the first cultivation HCA in July 2022, and the third HCA in August 2022.
City of Medford Ordinance [854] and [855] establish the requirements and process for the issuance of marijuana establishment licenses in the City.
Under City Ordinance, the Mayor may negotiate up to three Host Community Agreements for retail marijuana dispensaries.
Per state regulations, the City has the option to establish a 3% excise tax on retail sales from each permitted establishment. In addition, the City may seek up to an additional 3% of gross retail sales as a Community Impact Fee through the Host Community Agreement. The Community Impact Fee, limited to a term of 5 years, is intended to mitigate any impacts from retail establishments.
All marijuana establishments are required to be licensed by the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC). Information on the CCC and its licensing requirements can be found at: mass-cannabis-control.com.
