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After launching two new Rise medical cannabis dispensaries earlier this month, U.S. cannabis company Green Thumb Industries Inc. (CSE: GTII; OTCQX: GTBIF) is now gearing up to open a storefront in Massachusetts.  

The new Rise Amherst location will officially open for business this weekend on May 12, 2019 to serve any Massachusetts medical cannabis patients over the age of 20. Like other Rise locations, this site will feature an open retail floor plan and a separate section for patient consultations. 

Located in Hampshire County, Amherst is known for its proximity to five separate universities. The company entered the Amherst area back in May of 2018, and has since received accolades from the Amherst Chamber of Commerce for bringing in tax revenue and cannabis awareness. 

Regarding the new storefront opening, company founder and Chief Executive Officer Ben Kovler had this to say: 

GTI’s mission is to empower the right to wellness by progressing the responsible adult use of cannabis through innovative products and people-first retail experiences while remaining committed to the community. We’re thrilled to be able to serve the people of Amherst, where we’ve been part of the community for nearly a year.

Rise Amherst joins the growing roster of Green Thumb stores, which also saw the addition of Rise Lorain and Rise Toledo last week for the Ohio medical cannabis market. 

While recreational usage was legalized in Canada last year with the Cannabis Act, it remains illegal at the federal level in the U.S. Despite that nationwide prohibition, 33 individual states have legalized cannabis for medical purposes, while 10 states have defied the federal government and legalized recreational usage. 

Additional recreational legalization attempts are expected to hit the ballot in several states during the upcoming 2020 elections, and a variety of contenders for the Democratic Presidential nomination have openly stated their support for nationwide legalization. 

While both large licensed producers and grassroots activists work towards widespread acceptance of cannabis, executives from companies such as Green Thumb have made high-profile appearances at business conferences to make the case for marijuana.  

Most recently, CEO Kovler spoke at conferences in Toronto, New York, and California to discuss the legalized industry. 

About Author

Ty Arthur

Ty Arthur

Ty Arthur has spent the last decade of his journalism career covering everything from cutting-edge tech to local news through outlets such as the Houston Chronicle. He has focused on the counterculture aspects of society, from marijuana legalization to underground music through Metalunderground.com and rapidly changing trends in the entertainment industry. He lives in the cold, dark north with his wife and son.

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