Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
Easthampden - A lawyer for Hampden Care Facility appeared Wednesday before the City Council's Ordinance Subcommittee to provide an update on the company's planned medical marijuana facility.
Springfield attorney Stephen M. Reilly, Jr. said the dispensary and cultivation facility is now under construction on two floors of the Keystone Mill at 122 Pleasant Street, an area comprising 36,000 square feet.
He said the street-level area will house grow rooms, while a "high-end" retail dispensary will be accessible from the new parking lot behind the three renovated mills on Pleasant Street.
Reilly, head of compliance for the marijuana group, said to expect an experience "similar to an Apple store," and that Hampden Care will compete directly with New England Treatment Access, with its established dispensary in Northampton.
Reilly said the total investment "is a moving target" but should come in between $4-5 million. He said the grow room should be done by March or April, and that Hampden Care hopes to obtain its state license anywhere from June to September.
Reilly explained that under the law, medical marijuana in Massachusetts is vertically-integrated, meaning that dispensaries must have associated growing facilities. "You can't sell what you don't grow," he said.
The owners of any approved grow facility may be licensed for three medical dispensaries. Hampden Care plans dispensaries in Springfield and the Boston area.
Reilly said Hampden Care is open to negotiating a host community agreement with Easthampton. Under such an agreement, the city could receive cash benefit in addition to a potential 2.5 percent local option sales tax allowed for recreational marijuana under state law.
"The more sales, the more money to the municipality," Reilly said. He added that the company plans to create 30-50 jobs.
Reilly said medical dispensaries will have first dibs at running recreational dispensaries in Massachusetts, and that Hampden Care is interested in doing that.
He warned against the prospect of stand-alone recreational dispensaries, which by law need not invest in grow facilities. He said because of that possibility, Hampden Care may seek some sort of exclusivity agreement as part of any host community agreement with the city.
"If another group came in and just opened a dispensary, it would be only around $150,000," he said. "Cultivation requires more investment. By growing and selling, we are providing the best benefit to Easthampton."
Reilly said that while the Planning Board approved hours of operation between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. for the facility, Hampden Care might like to receive deliveries in the early morning, and perhaps extend its retail hours to 9 or 10 p.m.
"That would make us more competitive with Northampton," he said. "It would drive business to Easthampton."
Reilly noted that the state Legislature is currently considering a set of proposals that would amend the recreational marijuana ballot initiative passed by voters in November.
In 2015, Easthampton approved a medical marijuana zoning ordinance. Hampden Care Facility received its special permit from the Planning Board in March.
The building at 122 Pleasant is owned by James Whittmer II under Keystone Enterprises, LLC. "Jim Whittmer is our landlord," said Reilly.
According to documents filed with the state, Hampden Care's CEO is Mark Zatyrka of West Suffield, Connecticut. David Benlolo, founder of TRU Cannabis in Colorado, is chief of operations. John "Rob" Jany of Colorado has been tapped as chief cultivation officer. Peter Gallagher of New York is listed as an investor.
Former Massachusetts human services secretary Philip Johnston will serve as chief health strategist, while Dr. Bruce Nassau, a member of the Marijuana Industry Group of Colorado, is identified as chief medical director.
Easthampton's Ordinance Subcommittee is chaired by District 4 Councilor Salem Derby. Also discussed Wednesday were possible food truck regulations and potential issues around the proposed formation of a Human Rights Commission.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Hampden Care Facility Marijuana Shop Lawyer Updates Easthampton City Councilors
Author: Mary Serreze
Contact: 413-731-1036
Photo Credit: Mary Serreze
Website: MassLive
Springfield attorney Stephen M. Reilly, Jr. said the dispensary and cultivation facility is now under construction on two floors of the Keystone Mill at 122 Pleasant Street, an area comprising 36,000 square feet.
He said the street-level area will house grow rooms, while a "high-end" retail dispensary will be accessible from the new parking lot behind the three renovated mills on Pleasant Street.
Reilly, head of compliance for the marijuana group, said to expect an experience "similar to an Apple store," and that Hampden Care will compete directly with New England Treatment Access, with its established dispensary in Northampton.
Reilly said the total investment "is a moving target" but should come in between $4-5 million. He said the grow room should be done by March or April, and that Hampden Care hopes to obtain its state license anywhere from June to September.
Reilly explained that under the law, medical marijuana in Massachusetts is vertically-integrated, meaning that dispensaries must have associated growing facilities. "You can't sell what you don't grow," he said.
The owners of any approved grow facility may be licensed for three medical dispensaries. Hampden Care plans dispensaries in Springfield and the Boston area.
Reilly said Hampden Care is open to negotiating a host community agreement with Easthampton. Under such an agreement, the city could receive cash benefit in addition to a potential 2.5 percent local option sales tax allowed for recreational marijuana under state law.
"The more sales, the more money to the municipality," Reilly said. He added that the company plans to create 30-50 jobs.
Reilly said medical dispensaries will have first dibs at running recreational dispensaries in Massachusetts, and that Hampden Care is interested in doing that.
He warned against the prospect of stand-alone recreational dispensaries, which by law need not invest in grow facilities. He said because of that possibility, Hampden Care may seek some sort of exclusivity agreement as part of any host community agreement with the city.
"If another group came in and just opened a dispensary, it would be only around $150,000," he said. "Cultivation requires more investment. By growing and selling, we are providing the best benefit to Easthampton."
Reilly said that while the Planning Board approved hours of operation between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. for the facility, Hampden Care might like to receive deliveries in the early morning, and perhaps extend its retail hours to 9 or 10 p.m.
"That would make us more competitive with Northampton," he said. "It would drive business to Easthampton."
Reilly noted that the state Legislature is currently considering a set of proposals that would amend the recreational marijuana ballot initiative passed by voters in November.
In 2015, Easthampton approved a medical marijuana zoning ordinance. Hampden Care Facility received its special permit from the Planning Board in March.
The building at 122 Pleasant is owned by James Whittmer II under Keystone Enterprises, LLC. "Jim Whittmer is our landlord," said Reilly.
According to documents filed with the state, Hampden Care's CEO is Mark Zatyrka of West Suffield, Connecticut. David Benlolo, founder of TRU Cannabis in Colorado, is chief of operations. John "Rob" Jany of Colorado has been tapped as chief cultivation officer. Peter Gallagher of New York is listed as an investor.
Former Massachusetts human services secretary Philip Johnston will serve as chief health strategist, while Dr. Bruce Nassau, a member of the Marijuana Industry Group of Colorado, is identified as chief medical director.
Easthampton's Ordinance Subcommittee is chaired by District 4 Councilor Salem Derby. Also discussed Wednesday were possible food truck regulations and potential issues around the proposed formation of a Human Rights Commission.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Hampden Care Facility Marijuana Shop Lawyer Updates Easthampton City Councilors
Author: Mary Serreze
Contact: 413-731-1036
Photo Credit: Mary Serreze
Website: MassLive
