NORTHAMPTON — New England Treatment Access, whose Northampton medical marijuana dispensary is western Massachusetts’ longest operating, is interested in expanding into recreational marijuana in the city.
Noting Northampton’s vote in favor of Question 4, which legalized recreational marijuana in Massachusetts, Norton Arbelaez, director of government affairs for NETA, said that the nonprofit is interested in adding recreational marijuana to its offerings there.
“We would certainly be inclined to support the will of the voters,” he said.
He also said the nonprofit would like to offer recreational marijuana in Northampton on July 1 of next year, although he did say that this was contingent on working with the city, which he said NETA has a great relationship with.
July 1 is the date that recreational marijuana establishments are set to open in the commonwealth.
Medical marijuana operators will receive priority when applying for recreational marijuana licenses once the application process is opened up on April 1. The remaining licenses will be distributed to qualified applicants via lottery.
In communities that voted for Question 4, such as Northampton, complete bans and major limitations on commercial recreational marijuana must be approved by popular vote.
Still, Arbelaez said that medical marijuana will remain NETA’s primary focus.
“We will not forgo our medical patients,” he said. “They are our priority.”
Bera Dunau can be reached at bdunau@gazettenet.com