AMHERST — A second round of soliciting marijuana retailers interested in setting up shop in Amherst concludes May 31.
Companies have until the end of the month to be eligible to go through a selection process, similar to the initial one that concluded in November with the Town Review Team recommending three of five applicants to sign host community agreements with Town Manager Paul Bockelman.
Economic Development Director Geoff Kravitz, who is overseeing the process, said Monday he is confident the town will have at least three applicants this time, but there is room for more.
“Local owned, minorities, women and veterans are taken into consideration as a positive factor,” Kravitz said
He suggests that companies who want to come to Amherst go to the marijuana section of the town website at amherstma.gov/marijuana, for more information.
The review team, which previously included elected officials and town employees, including Police Chief Scott Livingstone, will go through all applications and make recommendations to Bockelman by mid-July, Kravitz said.
Rise Holdings Inc. at 169 Meadow St., Herbology Group Inc. at 422 Amity St. and Mass Alternative Care at 55 University Drive emerged from the previous process. So far, only Rise, which opened for medical marijuana sales in 2018, has also opened for retail sales, which began on Mother’s Day.
Kravitz said Herbology is going through a final Zoning Board of Appeals hearing this week to get special permits for both recreational and medical sales.
The review team did not select 365 Recreational Cannabis for 37 Boltwood Walk and MassMedicum for 85 University Drive in the previous round.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
