Cannabis-Related Uses

In 2014, the City of Amesbury adopted an ordinance to allow medical marijuana establishments to locate in specific districts in the City. In 2018, Amesbury passed another ordinance to allow for cultivation and retail establishments. Since then, we have entered into six Host Community Agreements (see below).

City of Amesbury - Request for Information 
Adult Use Marijuana Retail Establishments in Downtown Amesbury

The City of Amesbury (the “City”) invites interested parties (“Respondents”) to submit an application in response to our Request for Information (“RFI”) for individuals/companies seeking to operate an Adult Use Marijuana Retail Establishment in Downtown Amesbury. Selected Respondent(s) may be invited to negotiate a Host Community Agreement with the Mayor and move forward with the local permitting and licensing processes. 

Please CLICK HERE to access the RFI.
Deadline for submission is May 2, 2025. 
Questions about the RFI: Email Ann Marie Casey, Chief of Staff

Questions

For questions about cannabis-related uses in Amesbury, please review the Zoning Bylaws for both Adult Use/Retail (PDF) and Medical Marijuana (PDF). Maps of the Overlay Districts are also included below. After reviewing our bylaws, if you still have questions, please send us an email. Thank you!

Cannabis Control Commission of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts

https://masscannabiscontrol.com/

Amesbury Overlay Districts

Amesbury Host Community Agreements

Recently Approved Ordinances

CITY OF AMESBURY, MA CANNABIS EQUITY POLICY

Approved December 10, 2024
2024-099 An Ordinance to amend the Cannabis Retail License Limits – Councilors Stanganelli and Rinaldi Sponsors Summary: An Ordinance that changes the zoning ordinance to implement the local option to provide a cap to limit the total number of retail cannabis licensees operating within the city. Approved with amendments- Change limit to 30%, change the word “issued” to “allowed” and remove the last sentence relative to the 20% minimum. 

Approved December 10, 2024
2024-132 An Ordinance to amend Chapter 334 Licenses and Permits with the municipal code to allow for licensing of adult cannabis retailers within the Retail Marijuana Overlay District. Summary: An ordinance to update the municipal code or ordinances to provide a section for the licensing of Adult Retail Marijuana Establishments within the Retail Marijuana Overlay District as amended.- Councilor Stanganelli and Councilor Rinaldi Sponsors Approved with amendments- Change limit to 30%, change the word “issued” to “allowed” and remove the last sentence relative to the 20% minimum. 

Approved October 24, 2023
2023-029  - An Ordinance to define and implement civil enforcement procedures for public marijuana (cannabis) consumption. – Mayor, Councilors Stanganelli, Rinaldi, & Deschenes Sponsor Summary: An Ordinance to provide for the regulation of the public consumption of marijuana (cannabis) not medically prescribed as provided for in MGL 94G, Section 13. 

Approved October 2, 2024
2024-087 An Ordinance to amend the Amesbury Zoning Ordinance and Zoning Overlay Map to re-number the Adult Use Marijuana Establishments section and extend the Retail Marijuana Overlay District (RMOD) to include certain parcels and land area in the Central Business (CBD) and Central Industrial (IC) zoning districts within the City as shown on attached Exhibit -01.- Mayor Gove, Councilors Stanganelli, Rinaldi and Hogg Sponsors