Massachusetts officials today approved 20 medical marijuana dispensaries — including granting three of the highly coveted licenses to former Congressman William Delahunt.

The winners — the first in the state — were named from a pool of 181 applicants that was later narrowed to 100. State law allows for up to 35 pot dispensaries spread throughout Massachusetts.

“Only dispensaries with the highest quality applications were selected to be a part of this new industry, which will create hundreds of jobs while maintaining community safety,” Karen van Unen, executive director of the medical marijuana program, said in a statement.

A committee made recommendations to van Unen, but she had final say on who was awarded the licenses.

“These recommendations are based on objective benchmarks including geographic dispersion, patient access, security and readiness to operate. The citizens of the Commonwealth can be assured that this process was thoroughly and accurately vetted,” said Walpole Deputy Police Chief John Carmichael Jr., a member of the selection committee.

Today’s announcement comes after a series of closed meetings at the Department of Public Health.

DPH approved marijuana dispensaries in the following communities: Mashpee, Dennis, Taunton, Fairhaven, Salem, Haverhill, Holyoke, Northampton, Lowell, Ayer, Newton, Cambridge, Brookline, Quincy, Plymouth, Brockton, Boston, Milford and Worcester.

As the applications were approved, the head of the Massachusetts Medical Society raised several concerns today about the sale of medical marijuana.

“There is insufficient scientific information about the safety of marijuana when used for “medicinal” purposes,” Dr. Ronald Dunlap said. He said patients should remember that marijuana lacks the rigorous testing of drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration; that claims for its effectiveness have not been scientifically proven; and, that it poses health risks of toxins and cognitive impairment, the last condition being especially risky for young patients.