Amsterdam-style cannabis lounges are still coming to Massachusetts — just much slower than many business owners expected.
It’s been six months since the Cannabis Control Commission approved regulations for these businesses. Yet almost no towns have passed zoning changes for the ventures to move forward — and the commission has not opened the licenses up for applications. Both municipalities and the commission say they’re waiting for the other to move forward.
In the meantime, entrepreneurs across the state are bleeding cash as they wait to open. Many have sunk tens of thousands of dollars in rent, renovation, and project planning for new communal smoking venues…