After weeks of concerned headlines and industry questions, the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission approved the first two independent testing lab provisional licenses for the state’s adult-use market. Retail sales, originally set to begin July 1, are now a bit closer to reality.

The commission granted a provisional license to both CDX Analytics (in Salem) and MCR Labs (in Framingham). Both companies are currently listed at licensed medical cannabis testing labs in Massachusetts. See the executive summary of those companies’ license applications here.

As we’ve reported, the delay on adult-use sales in Massachusetts has been caused largely by a lack of licensed testing labs for that adult-use market. While the commission did not provide any anticipated date for sales, the two provisional licenses represent a significant step forward in the state.

As of Aug. 23, the commission had seen 2,431 cannabis business license applications, though almost all of them are considered “incomplete” as of late August. There are 112 applications submitted that meet all requirements, and those are now “pending” before the commission.

So far, the Cannabis Control Commission has approved 24 provisional licenses. The Aug. 23 meeting also included the approval of two retailers and a product manufacturer.

The CCC will meet again Sept. 6.



Top photo courtesy of Adobe Stock