Former Rep. Bill Delahunt applies to open pot dispensaries

The former Massachusetts congressman is the president of the nonprofit Medical Marijuana of Massachusetts

Published November 26, 2013 3:50PM (EST)

According to a report in the Taunton Daily Gazette, former Democratic congressman Bill Delahunt wants in on the medical marijuana business and has filed applications to open dispensaries in three Massachusetts counties.

Delahunt, who served in Congress from 1997 to 2011 and was a resident of the "alpha house" — Congress' own (way less debauched) version of the Animal House — has been preparing for the permits by assembling a small team of medical, law enforcement and addiction-treatment specialists to "help him create an efficient and responsible dispensary," according to the Gazette.

"We want to do this with the highest standards possible so we can establish a gold standard, if you will, across the state of Massachusetts,” Delahunt said.

More from the Taunton Daily Gazette:

The state has received 100 applications, and the law limits the number of shops that can open to 35 statewide, including at least one – but no more than five – per county.

The state Department of Public Health on Friday released information on 100 different applications for marijuana dispensaries, including the applicants’ names and the cities and towns in which they want to open. All dispensaries in Massachusetts are required to be run by nonprofits.

David Kibbe, a state spokesman, said the state will announce final selections Jan. 31.

[h/t Politico]


By Elias Isquith

Elias Isquith is a former Salon staff writer.

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Alpha House Bill Delahunt Marijuana Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Taunton Daily Gazette