The town-approved Alternative Compassion Services medical marijuana dispensary at 175 George Washington Blvd. “cleared the final hurdle” Thursday, Jan. 20, with the issuance of a license by the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission to open the facility.
“Once the final inspection is complete — hopefully within three weeks tops — we’re [optimistic] that [the dispensary] could open within a month,” ACS President Stephen Werther told the Hull Times. Renovations of the former Java Jungle coffee shop, where the dispensary is located, have been complete for some time.
The issuance of the license follows successful completion of an earlier physical and operational inspection of the facility, indicating that the CCC is satisfied that all the processes are in place to run the dispensary according to all the regulations.
ACS operates a state-of-the-art facility in Bridgewater, where the company cultivates, produces, and dispenses medical marijuana exclusively to individuals who carry valid Massachusetts registration cards that allow them to purchase medical marijuana.
One of ACS’s goals is to help de-stigmatize medical marijuana use, which according to statistics, offers a number of health benefits. ACS also provides patient consultations and educational seminars on how to properly use cannabis products.
Safety and security are of top priority, with no one allowed to enter the building without proper identification or to purchase medical marijuana without a registration card. On-site consumption is not allowed, including in the parking lot.
The ACS facility — which is expected to attract patients from Hull, Hingham, Cohasset, and beyond — will benefit Hull financially through the earlier-signed host agreement with the town.
The current plan is for the dispensary to be open seven days a week. Delivery service out of the Bridgewater facility will be provided to patients in Plymouth, Bristol, and Barnstable counties.
“We’re very excited to have received the final license — we’re coming up on the finish line,” Werther said. “It’s an understatement to say I’m excited and very pleased to finally get to this point. We’ve been working very hard.”