Mitchell Says No Deal Yet on Marijuana Dispensary

NEW BEDFORD - Earlier this week, Beacon Compassion Center announced they have an agreement in place with the City of New Bedford to open up a medical marijuana dispensary in the former Wicks and Licks location on Hathaway Road.

Yet the mayor is saying that's not entirely true.

In his weekly appearance on WBSM, Mayor Jon Mitchell said he has yet to sign anything with Beacon, and expressed his disappointment with their premature announcement.

"I don't know why those folks decided to announce that there is a deal when there isn't a deal," Mitchell said. "We've done a lot of deals over the last few years, and this is the first time someone has said, 'Well, run to the media, we have a deal' when the mayor hasn't signed anything yet."

Mitchell has previously been against a marijuana dispensary, but said the reality has changed with the passing of recreational marijuana in Massachusetts. He said the city needs to make sure they maintain control, and get money out of it as well.