Curaleaf Secures Massachusetts’ First Cannabis Research License

LOS ANGELES- In a significant development for the cannabis industry, Curaleaf Holdings, Inc., a leading multistate operator, has secured Massachusetts’ inaugural cannabis research facility license. The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) unanimously approved the license for Curaleaf Processing, Inc., a subsidiary of Curaleaf, during its November 14, 2024, meeting.

This license permits Curaleaf to operate a research facility in Newton, Massachusetts, where the company plans to conduct studies aimed at enhancing the safety and efficacy of cannabis products. Acting CCC Chair Bruce Stebbins expressed optimism, stating, “We are excited to move the state’s first-ever Research Facility license forward in the hopes that it will contribute to a safer regulated cannabis industry, rooted in science.”

Massachusetts joins a select group of states—including New York, Connecticut, Washington, and Colorado—that offer cannabis research licenses. Nationwide, only 15 such licenses have been granted, with just 10 facilities currently operational.

Curaleaf, headquartered in Massachusetts, operates 149 retail locations and 19 cultivation sites across 17 states. The company has been actively expanding its footprint in the cannabis sector, and this research license represents a strategic move to bolster its research and development capabilities.

The CCC’s approval underscores Massachusetts’ commitment to advancing cannabis research and ensuring that the industry is informed by scientific findings. Commissioner Kimberly Roy highlighted the importance of this development, noting, “I am hopeful this is a first step towards Massachusetts someday being positioned as a global leader in cannabis research.”

As Curaleaf prepares to commence operations at the Newton facility, the industry will be closely monitoring the outcomes of its research initiatives, which are expected to contribute valuable insights into cannabis science and its applications.