Ermont Inc. in West Quincy could become the first pot shop to legally sell recreational marijuana to adults 21 or older.

QUINCY — Adults soon would be able to buy recreational marijuana legally in Quincy if the city's sole medical marijuana dispensary has its way.

Ermont Inc., which has operated a medical marijuana dispensary at 216 Ricciuti Drive in West Quincy for almost three years, is taking steps to expand into recreational marijuana sales for adults 21 and older.

Ermont executives are negotiating with city officials to put in place what is known as a "host community agreement," a deal between a marijuana retailer and the community where it is located that spells out fees and taxes that the city will be entitled to based on the company's sales. It's the first step in a months-long process to earning a coveted recreational retail license.

The second step is a public hearing, which is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. July 10 at the Lincoln Hancock School, 300 Granite St.

Ward 4 City Councilor Brian Palmucci said he is concerned about the traffic that a marijuana shop would bring. He said he does see "some benefits" to having such a business in the city.

"And those benefits are a 3 percent community impact fee on cultivation and retail as well as a 3 percent local option tax," he said. "This will generate revenue."

Ermont already pays a 3 percent fee on revenues from its medical sales, revenue that has helped fund Quincy's substance abuse task force as well as recreational and diversion programs for youngsters.

Christopher Walker, chief of staff for Quincy Mayor Thomas Koch, said it's too soon to say how much Quincy would benefit from the addition of recreational sales at Ermont.

"We have had an excellent community partner in Ermont so far," Walker said.

Koch opposed the 2016 ballot measure that legalized recreational marijuana use for adults, but Walker said the administration is working to fulfill the will of the people and hammer out a good deal for residents.

Retail marijuana stores in Brookline and other metro-area communities have been met with high demand, long lines and increased traffic, which Walker and Palmucci say could further strain the already-dangerous intersection at Willard Street and Ricciuti Drive.

A new 269-apartment building on Ricciuti Drive would be opening around the same time that Ermont expands its sales, if it earns a license to do so from the state Cannabis Control Commission.

"We're going to see even more traffic at an already very dangerous intersection," Palmucci said. "We need to implement some kind of traffic control device or light."

The intersection is owned by the state, whose approval would be needed for any changes.

Ermont CEO John Gates said the dispensary's 70-car parking lot is big enough to handle any lines that might form if Ermont becomes the Quincy area's first licensed recreational marijuana retailer.

Gates said Ermont will continue to serve its medicinal clients and plans to renovate its warehouse space to create a private entrance for medical marijuana patients.

Ermont executives have been transparent about their plans to eventually bring recreational marijuana sales to their West Quincy dispensary. The company last year applied for and received priority approval status through the Cannabis Control Commission, which will allow Ermont's application to skip to the top of a list of 275 applications that are complete and awaiting review.

Gates said he expects to apply for a retail marijuana sales license by late summer and said Quincy could see its first legal adult-use sales by early 2020.

"I think six months is a realistic goal from the time we put our application in," he said.

Reach Erin Tiernan at etiernan@patriotledger.com or 617-786-7320. Follow her on Twitter @ErinTiernan.