Medford, MA Cannabis Regulations: Buffer Zones (2026)

Sec. 94-7.6.5(12) provides that, pursuant to M.G.L.A. c. 94G, § 5(b)(3), a marijuana establishment cannot be located within 500 feet of a pre-existing public or private school providing education in kindergarten or any of grades 1 through 12, with the distance measured in a straight line from the nearest point of the property line where the establishment is or will be located to the nearest point of the school's property line. That buffer is one of 29 general requirements in Sec. 94-7.6.5, which also bars on-site social consumption and self-service devices, requires a host community agreement before any special permit issues, and limits retailers to the C2 and industrial zoning districts at no more than 10,000 square feet of retail floor space under Sec.

94-7.6.15. The zoning board of appeals acts as the special permit granting authority under Sec. 94-7.6.4, and an applicant needs a recommendation from the cannabis advisory committee before applying. Marijuana retailers are further capped citywide at no more than 20 percent of the city's off-premises liquor licenses, and no more than three retailers total at the ordinance's effective date, excluding delivery-only licensees, per Sec. 94-7.6.15(1).