Outlet-styled dispensary celebrates grand opening in New Bedford

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WLNE) — A first-of-its-kind dispensary in Massachusetts celebrated its grand opening Friday.

Ascend New Bedford is the first outlet-style dispensary to open in Massachusetts, saying it offers customers cannabis products at lower prices.

“I am really excited about metaphorically the fact it’s also true. Because it’s bringing New Bedford to a higher place,” said Southcoast Chamber of Commerce COO Rick Kidder.

Prior to opening its doors, lines outside of Ascend stretched into the dozens, as people were excited for the new dispensary to open and give New Bedford residents a cheaper and closer option to find legal cannabis.

The outlet includes products from multiple cannabis businesses inside. According to the Southcoast Chamber director of business development, Ian Abreu, more than 20 people are employed by Ascend, and will continue to hire more employees as time progresses.

“We’re talking good-paying jobs,” Abreu said. “Family-sustaining jobs and growth opportunities with these companies to be promoted from within.”

Opening a dispensary in New Bedford has been a long time coming with the city voting in favor of bringing a recreational marijuana business to the Whaling City in 2016 after recreational marijuana was first legalized in Massachusetts.