The first and second cannabis dispensaries on Cape Cod opened on Commercial Street in Provincetown. Two years later there are five cannabis dispensaries in Provincetown and one more will open soon. Many people are asking: Are there too many cannabis dispensaries on Cape Cod, specifically in Provincetown?

We asked some Provincetown residents and industry folks what they think.

“Are there too many bars? “~ Twelve year full-time resident

“Being an employee of the second dispensary to open, in my humble opinion, we have too many bud-tenders who truly do not know the science of cannabis. I hear complaints and misinformation every day. Dispensaries that offer solid cannabis education are important to help medical users to have the information they need to help the individuals' healthcare needs.”  ~ Dave DeWitt, High Dune Cannabis

“Yes, there are too many, because the products available are limited to who will deliver to Cape Cod. Many of the same products are sold at all of the stores. It will get really tight in the winter when the tourists leave. I wouldn’t be surprised if some don’t make it.” ~ Local cannabis employee

Some communities limit the number of dispensaries, Provincetown took the ‘let the market sort it out approach’ with no cap on the number of licenses. Northampton and Worcester have taken a similar approach. The Fitchburg area also took the more the merrier approach.

The HCA asks for 3% if you were open year-round (closed no more than a month consecutively) and 4% if you wanted to operate seasonally and $5k to charities. Anything over 3% is a no go but we will have to wait for the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) to put regulations around what the legislature just passed.

“A recent article talked about MSOs with underperforming retail locations dumping those and buying into higher-traffic locations. It’s possible that Curaleaf will leave and find a higher traffic location closer to Boston” ~ Local cannabis employee

I support Provincetown’s policy not to limit the number of licenses. Restricting the number of licensees creates corruption, lawsuits, and limits the market when we need to be opening it up. Perhaps not all businesses will survive, there are no guarantees.

Many of the events, bars, and festivities in Provincetown are sponsored by alcohol companies. There are 5 liquor stores and 167 liquor licenses in Provincetown. Alcohol packaging and branding line every street, truck, event, umbrella, poster, and printed ad. In comparison, cannabis barely makes an appearance.

Eventually, there will be consumption spaces and concerts or events where you can consume on Cape Cod. Cannabis tourism is a $17 billion dollar industry and safe cannabis access is a primary consideration in vacation planning for millennials. The shops may come and go but cannabis in Provincetown will continue to grow." ~ Anna Meade, Cannabis: A Big Sisters Guide