NETA holding news conference ahead of recreational marijuana sales

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) – New England Treatment Access in Northampton held a news conference Monday afternoon ahead of its first day of recreational marijuana sales.

We are almost there… Our Northampton dispensary will be open for patients and adults 21+ beginning Tuesday, 11/20, at 8:00 AM! Check back here for more updates! pic.twitter.com/EnSABqLqsZ

— NETA (@netacaremass) November 17, 2018

NETA will begin recreational marijuana sales at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, becoming one of the first two dispensaries to do so in Massachusetts.

Northampton Mayor David Narkewicz announced during the news conference Monday that he’d be making the first legal purchase.

“It’s a symbolic purchase, I’ll probably just purchase one of their chocolate bars most likely,” Narkewicz said. “Obviously it will be a historic artifact of tomorrow, so I won’t be consuming it, although I’ve heard a few jokes about that.”

NETA said they anticipate long lines when doors open Tuesday morning.

Northampton Police Chief Jody Kasper said there will be officers directing traffic on each end of Fulton Ave on opening day. 

To get to NETA, drivers can travel north and southbound on Pleasant Street and turn onto Fulton Ave. Kasper said Fulton Ave will be turned into a one-way street Tuesday, so once drivers are ready to exit NETA, they will be directed onto Conz Street.

During the news conference, NETA’s Director of Diversity Programs Kim Napoli said medical marijuana patients remain their top priority.

Patients will have access to special lines and reserved inventory on opening day for recreational sales, and every day after.

Full news conference: 

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