Skip to main content
CityRuleLookup

Quincy, MA Cannabis Regulations: Dispensary Zoning (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Retailer cap
20% of liquor license count
Local sales tax
3% of total sales price
Host agreement
Executed by the Mayor
Impact fee
Up to 3% of gross sales

Summary

Quincy caps marijuana retailers at 20% of its liquor license count, requires a special permit and mayoral host community agreement, and imposes a 3% local sales tax under its zoning ordinance: the city has not opted out.

No special permit shall be granted to an applicant if issuance of such permit would cause there to be within the City a number of marijuana retailers greater than 20% of the number of licenses issued under M.G.L. Chapter 138 within the City for the retail sale of alcoholic beverages not to be consumed on the premises.

8. A local sales tax of 3% of the total sales price received by a marijuana retailer shall be imposed, as authorized by M.G.L. Chapter 64N, § 3, upon the sale or transfer to anyone, other than a marijuana establishment, of any marijuana or marijuana products.

9. Licensed marijuana establishments which cultivate, manufacture or process marijuana and which present a public nuisance to the City or its inhabitants are subject to special permit revocation or suspension by the City.

10. Licensed marijuana establishments which sell marijuana or marijuana products to persons under the age of 21 are subject to special permit revocation by the City.

11. Hours of operation of licensed marijuana retailers shall be restricted to the same hours of operation as liquors establishments within the City of Quincy. Licensed marijuana retailers who violate this provision shall be subject to a civil fine for an initial violation of not more than $1,000 or to special permit suspension, or both. For any subsequent violation, a retailer shall be subject to a fine of not more than $5,000 or to special permit suspension or revocation, or both.

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4608810; v7 updated 2025-10-06; through 10-06-2025).

Full Breakdown

Section 6.11.3 of the Quincy Zoning Ordinance requires a special permit and a host community agreement executed by the Mayor before any marijuana establishment opens, with the agreement allowed to include a community impact fee up to 3% of gross sales for up to five years. Section 6.11.4(7) caps marijuana retailers at 20% of the number of off-premises alcoholic beverage licenses issued in the city under M.G.L. c. 138. Section 6.11.4(8) imposes a 3% local sales tax on marijuana sales, authorized by M.G.L. c. 64N, § 3.

Violations & Fines

Selling without the special permit or above the 20% retailer cap is a zoning violation; retailers who violate permitted operating hours face a $1,000 fine for a first offense, rising to $5,000 or permit suspension for later violations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Has Quincy, Massachusetts opted out of marijuana retail?
No. Section 6.11 of the Quincy Zoning Ordinance permits marijuana establishments by special permit, capped at 20% of the city's off-premises liquor license count under Section 6.11.4(7).
Does Quincy charge extra tax on marijuana sales?
Yes: a 3% local sales tax under Section 6.11.4(8), separate from the state marijuana excise tax, plus an optional host community impact fee up to 3% of gross sales.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Quincy

All Quincy rules

Compare Quincy to another location·View the Massachusetts cannabis regulations overview

Get notified when Dispensary Zoning in Quincy, MA changes

We'll email you the moment we detect a change in the code. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

We'll never sell or share your email. One-click unsubscribe in every email.

See something wrong?

Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.