Welcome to “Cannabusiness Across America,” MMLG’s periodic dive on plant-touching business and matters across the United Staes. With a new Gallup report stating that more Americans than ever approve of cannabis being legalized, we decided to take a look at recent developments in New Jersey and  Massachusetts.

Cannabis Testing Facilities In Massachusetts Get Rolling, State Approves Massive Cultivation Facility

While Massachusetts has been officially legalized since July 1, municipal foot-dragging efforts and a lack of authorized licensing and testing facilities have stifled would-be canna-businesses in the Bay State. UNTIL NOW. Last week the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission approved two testing facilities to begin operation which finally affords retailers the required testing and screening of product by approved testing labs. Phew!

With the approval of a massive 90,000 square foot cultivation facility to be opened in Leicester, Massachusetts, it would seem, fingers crossed, that New England’s first legal recreational-use retail store may open before 2019. Once this facility and the testing labs get rolling we anticipate Boston to be a clear frontrunner for the legal cannabis market. With Boston’s tech corridor, bevy of research universities, and relatively approachable and business-friendly policies towards the plant-touching business, Boston is a clear leader in the rec-use market. From a compliance standpoint? We think we know who Massachusetts businesses know who to call.

New Jersey Cannabis? More Like Not (Until 2019) Jersey Cannabis, Am I Right?

While many canna-preneurs are rightfully bullish on New Jersey’s tremendous potential –thriving medical market, the most populous state in the Union, across the Hudson from the largest city in the country, Governor Phil Murphy seems to really want to get things done– the state government has been delayed by Democrats working to iron out legislative matters first. As our East Coast office has been arguing all along, New Jersey’s timeline for 2018 was always unrealistic. The Garden State remains ripe with potential and fortunately, we would argue, the folks in Trenton are taking the time to do their due diligence and also learn from the missteps other states have taken before writing anything in stone.

That being said, the clock remains ticking for New Jersey and, cough, New York, cough, to get their acts together. Particularly with Massachusetts kicking things into a higher gear this month.