253 Farmacy Dispensary in Amherst MA

253 Farmacy in Amherst

College towns run on good coffee, late nights and easy errands, and 253 Farmacy Dispensary in Amherst MA fits right into that rhythm. The shop sits at 328 College Street, in the College Shops near the Neighbor Food Mart, just off Route 9 where College Street meets South East Street. It is the Amherst sister of the 253 Farmacy store in Turners Falls, where the company grows, processes and sells cannabis under one roof.

The company calls it “our modern storefront in Amherst” and describes the spot as “A short trip from UMass and perfect for college students and locals alike.” Whether you are a grad student, a professor, a longtime local or a visitor in town for a campus tour, here is what to know before you go.

Open since August 2021

The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission lists 328 College Street as an active, licensed adult-use cannabis retailer, open since August 16, 2021. The shop wears the 253 Farmacy name today, and Leafly’s listing for the store says it has been open as 253 Farmacy since December 2024.

A storefront with a long local story

This little corner of east Amherst has seen plenty of change. According to the Amherst Bulletin, the storefront at 328 College Street was once Monkey Business, a children’s clothing store. Later it became Green Wave Garden Supply and Hydroponics, a shop that sold supplies to people growing their own plants at home. Then it sat empty.

In 2019, a company came forward with plans for a recreational cannabis shop in the vacant space, which the Bulletin described as being in the east Amherst village center, just down the hill from Amherst College. In August 2020, the Bulletin reported that the town’s Zoning Board of Appeals had unanimously approved a special permit for the site, making it the first recreational cannabis store in the village center. The plan included a new awning at the entrance, which a lawyer for the applicant said “really adds to the site and to the building itself.”

That first shop opened under the Red Cardinal name. The Reminder reported that it opened on September 1, 2021, and called it “the town’s first solely recreational use cannabis dispensary.” Today the same address carries the 253 Farmacy sign, bringing a Franklin County farm brand south to Amherst.

What’s in a name

If you have never visited 253 Farmacy before, the name is a fun little puzzle. The company explains it on its About page. “253” is the street number of its home base on Millers Falls Road in Turners Falls, where the farm lives. Add the digits together and you get 10, so the company likes to call 253 “a Perfect 10.”

“Farmacy” mixes two words, farm and pharmacy. The company sees its job as part farmer and, in a figurative sense, part pharmacist: grow a great plant, then help people enjoy it thoughtfully. It also says it is owned and operated by Massachusetts locals, and that earning the trust of customers, employees and partners sits at the center of its mission.

Farm to table, with a short drive between

What makes the Amherst shop a bit different from many dispensaries is what stands behind it. In a feature the company shared on its blog, first written for MJ Unpacked, 253 Farmacy describes itself as a farm-to-table operation. Co-founder Seth Rutherford said, “Indoor farming is extremely difficult,” because indoor growers cannot lean on many of the tools outdoor farmers use against mold and bud rot. So the team keeps a very clean grow room and holds every department to high standards.

The company also tries to keep good cannabis within reach. Rutherford said it offers several price points without cutting quality, selling smaller, less showy “popcorn” buds at lower prices. Leafly’s listing describes the Amherst shop as a store offering products “cultivated and processed in the Pioneer Valley,” which is a nice way to say the goods travel a short distance down the road.

Looking after the team

The same feature shows how the company treats its people. Starting pay is well above minimum wage, and Rutherford put it simply: “turnover can cost your company a fortune.” Co-founder Chris Gallant leads monthly cookouts to bring the departments together. When the company’s license called for 150 hours of community service, the team logged 200. Rutherford sums up his whole approach in one line: “if you take care of the people around you, they take care of you.”

Friendly faces at the counter

The Amherst page says the shop’s “knowledgeable budtenders are always ready to guide you through our diverse selection.” Tell them what you enjoy, what you want to avoid and how experienced you are, and let them point you in the right direction. The company’s 4/20 post makes the same point: budtenders can suggest products based on your goals, your preferences and your tolerance.

What’s on the menu

The Amherst store carries flower, pre-rolls, edibles, vape carts and pens, concentrates, topicals, tinctures, CBD products and merchandise. Selection changes from day to day, and the company notes that availability can vary by location, so check the online menu for Amherst before you head over.

Order online, pick up in store

You can browse the online menu and place an order for pickup at the College Street shop, or simply walk in and shop in person. The company FAQ says no appointment is needed. Prices on the online menu do not include tax, so plan for that at the register.

Tips from the 253 Farmacy blog

The 253 Farmacy blog has some easy reads for curious shoppers.

Get to know terpenes. In its post on popular terpenes, the company explains that terpenes are natural aromatic compounds that shape how a plant smells and tastes. Ask a budtender which aromas stand out in a strain, then trust your nose.

Different ways, different timing. Another post looks at edibles, vapes, concentrates and smoking. Edibles come on slowly, while concentrates can lead to “a very fast high.” The blog’s best advice for edibles: “It’s important to wait the direct time before consuming more!”

Shopping for a friend. A holiday gift guide on the blog has handy advice for buying for someone else. For the canna-curious, the company says “we always suggest taking it slow,” and an easy-to-dose tincture is a gentle first step. For seasoned friends, the advice is to “ask them what they like” before picking a strain.

Beat the crowds. The company’s 4/20 post spreads its celebration across ten days in April at both stores, with in-store events and pop-ups, so you do not have to squeeze in on the 20th itself. It also warns that popular edibles sell out quickly.

Getting there

The College Street shop is easy to reach from almost anywhere in town. The store page says it is about a five-minute drive from UMass Amherst and from downtown, under ten minutes from Hampshire College, and about five minutes by car from the Emily Dickinson Museum. It is also an easy hop from Hadley, Northampton and Belchertown.

No car? The PVTA #30 bus stops at South East Commons, which the store says is “just a 5-minute walk” from the shop.

Plan your visit

Address. 328 College Street, Amherst, MA 01002, in the College Shops near the Neighbor Food Mart.

Hours. Open every day, 10am to 8pm.

Phone. (413) 230-3063.

Parking. The store is in a shopping plaza, and the company FAQ says parking is available on site.

Paying. The company FAQ lists cash and debit cards, with a $3.50 service fee on debit. Leafly’s listing for the Amherst store shows an ATM.

Access. The company says its dispensaries are wheelchair accessible.

Adults 21+. 253 Farmacy is adult-use only. Bring a valid, government-issued ID such as a driver’s license, passport, state ID card or military ID. Temporary or expired IDs are not accepted.

Massachusetts cannabis basics

Here are the state rules from the Cannabis Control Commission:

Age. 21 or older, with a government-issued ID for every retail purchase.
Carrying. Up to two ounces in public.
At home. Up to 10 ounces, and anything over two ounces must be locked up.
Where to use it. Not in public places and not on federal land.
In the car. No open containers in the passenger area. Use a closed container in the trunk or a locked glove compartment, and never drive under the influence.
State lines. It is illegal to take cannabis out of Massachusetts, and it cannot be mailed. Plenty of Amherst students head home to other states on breaks, so leave your purchase behind before you hit the road.

Your first visit, step by step

Check the online menu. See what is in stock at the Amherst store before you head over.
Order ahead or walk in. Order online for pickup, or just stop by. No appointment is needed.
Bring your ID and payment. A valid, unexpired ID, plus cash or debit.
Talk to a budtender. Share your goals and experience level and ask for a suggestion.
Start low and go slow. Especially with edibles, wait before you have more.

Make a day of it in Amherst

Amherst is a Hampshire County town of 39,263 people (2020 census), and it is one of the great college towns of New England. It was incorporated on February 13, 1759, and named for Jeffery Amherst, 1st Baron Amherst. Three of the Five Colleges call it home: the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst College and Hampshire College. Fun fact: the town’s 01002 zip code is the second lowest in the continental United States.

There is a lot to see. The poet Emily Dickinson was born and lived in Amherst, and the Emily Dickinson Museum tells her story. Families love the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, and the Jones Library is a favorite with readers. At Amherst College, the Mead Art Museum holds about 18,000 items, and the Beneski Museum of Natural History shows off the Hitchcock Ichnological Cabinet of fossil footprints. On the UMass campus, the W. E. B. Du Bois Library is described as the tallest academic library in the country. Book lovers will also enjoy knowing that Melvil Dewey came up with the Dewey Decimal System in 1876 while working as an assistant librarian at Amherst College.

Getting around is easy. The Pioneer Valley Transit Authority runs buses through town, Peter Pan and Megabus offer intercity service, and the Amtrak Vermonter stops in nearby Northampton.

Why 253 Farmacy is worth the stop

A farm brand from up the river, a storefront with decades of east Amherst history, friendly budtenders and a spot that is easy to reach by car or bus: 253 Farmacy brings a little Franklin County spirit to College Street. Swing by between classes, after a museum visit or on your way home, and see why the number adds up to a perfect 10.

Cannabis is for adults 21 and over. Please consume responsibly.