NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) – April 20th, also known as ‘420’, is a special day for cannabis consumers across the country.

Liam O’Brien, Co-Founder of Fernway, an adult-use recreational cannabis brand, headquartered in Northampton says that the cannabis industry is having a great impact on western Massachusetts, contributing to both its economy and culture.

He adds that it’s giving a lot of people a reason to come to our area. “It was in western Massachusetts where the first dispensary to serve adult-use customers ever opened. For us, we aren’t from Massachusetts, but when we were looking for a place to base our business, western Massachusetts made a lot of sense to us,” says O’Brien.

According to one report, nearly 60% of Americans approve of legalization for both medicinal and recreational use and cannabis is now legal or at least decriminalized in more than half of U.S. states.