State approves 2 more recreational marijuana businesses in Fall River

FALL RIVER – The city’s second and third adult-use marijuana dispensaries have received from state officials the green light to sell adult-use marijuana following a vote by the Cannabis Control Commission Thursday afternoon.

Hope Heal Health, which opened a medical dispensary on West Street in February, and Greener Leaf, which intends to convert a former laundromat on Rhode Island Avenue into a dispensary, have been approved by the CCC for provisional licenses.

Thursday’s vote triples the number of Fall River businesses licensed to sell recreational marijuana. Northeast Alternatives had been the first dispensary approved and began recreational sales in January.

Because Greener Leaf only recently applied for the building permit needed to demolish the inside of the laundromat where it wants to move, it will be months before the location opens. Hope Heal Health CEO John Rogue said in February that his dispensary’s adult-use sales could begin as early as May.

Thursday’s announcement puts Hope Heal Health and Greener Leaf further ahead in a pack of nearly a dozen businesses in various stages of opening marijuana dispensaries, processors or cultivation facilities in Fall River. Thus far, Mayor Jasiel Corriea has granted local approval to 11 different applicants. Pending approval from the state, Fall River could have as many as eight dispensaries.

Despite being granted a provisional license, Hope Heal Health and Greener Leaf will still have to pay license fees, undergo further inspections and abide by security requirements such as staff fingerprinting and registering marijuana establishment agents.

Once the CCC grants the businesses final licenses, the businesses will be able to start full operations.