Jacob Redmond
Well-Known Member
Three proposed medical marijuana dispensaries cleared a hurdle to open in Framingham as selectmen voted Tuesday to grant them key letters of support.
Out of six applicants, selectmen chose only the three — Beacon Compassionate Care, 315 Worcester Road; CommCan Inc., 331 Worcester Road; and Manna Wellness, 665 Cochituate Road — to support in their bids to obtain licenses from the state.
Chairman Charlie Sisitsky, who voted against Manna, said he wanted to give residents access to medical marijuana but start out slowly since it’s a new industry.
“I don’t think we want the town of Framingham to be known as the medical marijuana dispensary capital of MetroWest,” he said.
Selectmen voted unanimously to support their No. 1 pick, Beacon Coman and 3-2 for Manna.
“I’m grateful, honored to be able to serve the community, and humbled and excited,” Marc Rosenfeld, CEO of CommCan Inc. said after the board’s vote.
Rosenfeld, a Millis attorney, said he is set to grow his product in Medway and will be ready to open his dispensary here, next to Federal Glass & Mirror Co., on the corner of Rte. 9 West and Rte. 126, as soon as the state issues a license.
The proposed Beacon Compassionate Care is just on the other side of Rte. 126.
Board members spent some time deciding how to choose among the applicants and whether to grant letters of support or non-opposition, which Town Manager Bob Halpin said the state Department of Public Health ultimately views as the same.
Selectmen considered the benefits and drawbacks of each proposal, including how much cash each applicant offered the town — from 2.5 to 4 percent of annual gross revenues.
Manna offered the town $25,000 or 2.5 percent of the previous quarter’s gross revenues, up to $300,000 per year. Beacon Compassionate Care offered 3 percent, up to $250,000 per year, and CommCan Inc. offered 3 percent per year, not to exceed $500,000.
Selectmen also looked at factors such as traffic, parking, access to regional roads and buffering from any neighboring residents.
While liking the location on Rte. 30 (Cochituate Road) right off the Mass. Pike, selectmen had concerns about Manna Wellness customers having to take a left turn when they leave and cut across several lanes of traffic to get back onto the Pike.
Selectman Cheryl Tully Stoll said she worried about that maneuver but saw a lot of positives in that proposal, too.
“We’re going to have to balance it,” she said. “Every proposal has some positives and negatives.”
Halpin and Police Chief Ken Ferguson walked the board through the results of the town’s evaluation of the six proposals.
In the end, selectmen decided not to support proposals for Mass Medicum, 250 Worcester Road; Garden Remedies, 231 Worcester Road, and Prime Wellness, 271 Worcester Road.
Under changes to the state’s licensing process, applicants need to show they have local backing through a letter of support or non-opposition.
Sisitsky said he appreciated all the interest in Framingham and knew the applicants put a lot of work into their proposals.
“We take this very seriously and we thank you,” he said.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Framingham: Selectmen support 3 medical marijuana dispensaries
Author: Danielle Ameden
Contact: Author Email
Photo Credit: Flickr
Website: Home
Out of six applicants, selectmen chose only the three — Beacon Compassionate Care, 315 Worcester Road; CommCan Inc., 331 Worcester Road; and Manna Wellness, 665 Cochituate Road — to support in their bids to obtain licenses from the state.
Chairman Charlie Sisitsky, who voted against Manna, said he wanted to give residents access to medical marijuana but start out slowly since it’s a new industry.
“I don’t think we want the town of Framingham to be known as the medical marijuana dispensary capital of MetroWest,” he said.
Selectmen voted unanimously to support their No. 1 pick, Beacon Coman and 3-2 for Manna.
“I’m grateful, honored to be able to serve the community, and humbled and excited,” Marc Rosenfeld, CEO of CommCan Inc. said after the board’s vote.
Rosenfeld, a Millis attorney, said he is set to grow his product in Medway and will be ready to open his dispensary here, next to Federal Glass & Mirror Co., on the corner of Rte. 9 West and Rte. 126, as soon as the state issues a license.
The proposed Beacon Compassionate Care is just on the other side of Rte. 126.
Board members spent some time deciding how to choose among the applicants and whether to grant letters of support or non-opposition, which Town Manager Bob Halpin said the state Department of Public Health ultimately views as the same.
Selectmen considered the benefits and drawbacks of each proposal, including how much cash each applicant offered the town — from 2.5 to 4 percent of annual gross revenues.
Manna offered the town $25,000 or 2.5 percent of the previous quarter’s gross revenues, up to $300,000 per year. Beacon Compassionate Care offered 3 percent, up to $250,000 per year, and CommCan Inc. offered 3 percent per year, not to exceed $500,000.
Selectmen also looked at factors such as traffic, parking, access to regional roads and buffering from any neighboring residents.
While liking the location on Rte. 30 (Cochituate Road) right off the Mass. Pike, selectmen had concerns about Manna Wellness customers having to take a left turn when they leave and cut across several lanes of traffic to get back onto the Pike.
Selectman Cheryl Tully Stoll said she worried about that maneuver but saw a lot of positives in that proposal, too.
“We’re going to have to balance it,” she said. “Every proposal has some positives and negatives.”
Halpin and Police Chief Ken Ferguson walked the board through the results of the town’s evaluation of the six proposals.
In the end, selectmen decided not to support proposals for Mass Medicum, 250 Worcester Road; Garden Remedies, 231 Worcester Road, and Prime Wellness, 271 Worcester Road.
Under changes to the state’s licensing process, applicants need to show they have local backing through a letter of support or non-opposition.
Sisitsky said he appreciated all the interest in Framingham and knew the applicants put a lot of work into their proposals.
“We take this very seriously and we thank you,” he said.
News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Framingham: Selectmen support 3 medical marijuana dispensaries
Author: Danielle Ameden
Contact: Author Email
Photo Credit: Flickr
Website: Home
