City of Fall River continues hold on accepting applications for adult-use marijuana establishments

(FALL RIVER, MA- March 25, 2022)- The City of Fall River has decided to extend the moratorium on acceptance of applications for adult-use marijuana establishments.

According to a statement, the City stated that it requires additional time to enact a comprehensive cannabis zoning ordinance intended to mitigate potential impacts to surrounding neighborhoods and to protect the public health, safety, and general welfare of the community at large. The City expects to accept new applications once the cannabis zoning ordinance is enacted.

To date, Fall River has entered into Host Community Agreements with thirteen cannabis entities, allowing for the cultivation, manufacture, and/or sale of marijuana at fifteen different city locations. Three of these companies (Northeast Alternatives, Sunnyside, and Nature’s Medicine) are currently open for business, while another three cannabis businesses are expected to open in the near future. Additional cannabis businesses are expected to open their doors once they receive state approval from the Cannabis Control Commission.

The statement went on to say that there is no cannabis zoning ordinance currently in place in Fall River, which has raised concern from residents located in close proximity to existing cannabis businesses.

“In order to minimize future negative impacts to our residents and businesses, it has been decided that the most prudent course of action is to hold-off on the issuance of additional HCAs until cannabis-specific zoning is enacted and the effects of the new influx of cannabis businesses are better known.