Medical

Marijuana/ Cannabis Businesses in Fitchburg

Page Updated August 2, 2023

I've been asked a few times "How many Cannabis businesses are going in now in Fitchburg?" So I put together this fairly comprehensive list....if I am missing anything or have anything that should be corrected please let me know!


Also, great article in the paper summarizes more and gives some more info: http://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/news/ci_32395267/preparations-underway-fitchburg-pot-shops

Info from Community Development Office as of 9/17/2019

Host Agreements Approved

January 1, 2018 - October 10, 2019

Marijuana/ Cannabis Businesses in Fitchburg: as of 10/10/19

General Notes

  • There is a cap on an individual licensee of 100,000 sq. ft. grow canopy.

  • There’s no cap for number of licensed cultivators.

  • For retail sales of Adult Use it is capped at 40% of the amount of package stores licenses, or 7 stores (referenced by City Solicitor). (Number of 8 used by city councilors most often in meetings when referencing 40% number, as minimum 20% number was rounding up per CCC)

  • Fitchburg voters approved adult-use/recreational cannabis 56.7% (8,707) to 43.3% (6,636), November 8th, 2016.

In Operation

Garden Remedies, Inc., 307 Airport Rd

Cultivation & processing of Medical Marijuana

 

Revolutionary Clinics, 1 Oak Hill Rd

Cultivation & processing of Medical & Adult Use Marijuana

Mass. Patient Foundation, 99 Development Rd

Medical Marijuana cultivation facility

Adult Use Marijuana cultivation facility (approved 8-13-2019)

  • Apothca, Inc.

  • Mass Patient received Special Permit approval 8/16/16 for a medical marijuana cultivation and processing facility at 99 Development Rd.

  • September 12, 2017 approved 7-0 to expand grow area

  • 9-12-2017 Meeting Minutes: http://www.ci.fitchburg.ma.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09122017-1092

  • 8-13-2019 Planning Board Minutes

  • 8-13-2019 Special Permit Modification & Site Plan Review -Mass. Patient Foundation, 99 Development Dr. Modification of bldgs. & expansion to produce Adult Use Cannabis Note: Mass. Patient Foundation is doing business as “Apothca” Hearing opened. Joe Lekach & Richard Philbrick, Apothca present. Apothca is requesting some clarification on the Planning Board’s Special Permit decision as to which buildings in they are allowed to operate in. They are currently in Bldgs. 1 ,10, 14 & 23 (including the greenhouse additions). Total growth canopy: 26,000 sq. ft. (Tier II: 30,000 40,000 sq. ft.). No expansion of grow canopy is being planned. No expansion to other buildings on Fitchburg portion of the site are contemplated. They are planning to expand to one building on the Westminster side of the town line and are currently in discussion w/ Westminster Planning Board. Their retail locations are in Arlington, Jamaica Plain & Lynn. Fitchburg is their only grow facility. Richard showed the Board photos of interior of site with some cleaning up of vegetation. Board: How about cutting down overgrown vegetation outside the chain link fence? Apothca would rather leave that there for screening. Fitchburg Fire Prevention is OK with conditions on the site. Public comment: Motion made & seconded to close hearing. Vote in favor.Motion made (Mr. Hurley) & seconded (Mr. Van Hazinga) to Approve Modification of Special Permit. Vote 5-0 in favor

 (Approved/ Pending State Approval or Opening)


Atlantic Medicinal Partners, 774 Crawford St.

Medical Marijuana cultivation/processing & dispensary facility

Revolutionary Clinics, 1 Oak Hill Rd.

Cultivation & processing of Adult-Use Marijuana

  • Bert Vining, Vice President of Revolutionary Clinics

  • Total Employees: 85 (65 at Oak Hill Rd) soon to be 120 Employees total.

  • A minimum of 35% of product produced is reserved for medical patients, the rest could go to the Adult Use Market

  • Product is locked and secured and transported to Somerville, and two locations in Cambridge.

  • Approved August 21st 2018 7-0

  • 8-21-18 Meeting Minutes: http://www.ci.fitchburg.ma.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08212018-1374

 

Garden Remedies, Inc., 307 Airport Rd

Cultivation & processing of Adult -Use Marijuana

  • Retail location in Newton

  • They currently employ 75 employees and will be adding 30 more.

  • They pay 1.25% of profits to City per Host Community Agreement..

  • Approved August 21st 2018 7-0

  • 8-21-18 Meeting Minutes: http://www.ci.fitchburg.ma.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08212018-1374

  • 9-10-2019 Planning Board Minutes

  • 9-10-2019 Minor Amendment of Special Permit #2018-7, Garden Remedies, 307 Airport Rd. -revised Greenhouses Hearing opened. Brian Marchetti, McCarty Engineering present. Plan approved by Board last year for “hoop house”greenhouses be located on a bed of crushed stone has been revised. Garden Remedies current proposal is to construct a more permanent 32,256 sq. ft. greenhouse in the same area. The greenhouse will have a poured 4-foot high concrete foundation, a concrete slab on grade, and a tubular steel frame with glass walls & roof. Part of the structure is in the 100-year floodplain. Finish Floor Elevation of greenhouse will be one foot above the Base Flood Elevation. Compensatory flood storage will be provided. An Amended Order of Conditions hadbeen approved at the last Conservation Commission meeting. Public comment: None. Motion made & seconded to close hearing. Vote infavor.Motion made (Mr. Fontaine) & seconded (Mr.Van Hazinga) to Approve Minor Amendment of Special Permit. Vote 7-0 in favor.

 

NS AJO Holdings, 20 Authority Drive

Cultivation, processing & retail sales of Medical & Adult-Use Marijuana

  • Aidan O’Donovan, CEO of NS AJO Holdings, Inc.

  • Closed on the (Geosearch) building in May 2018

  • The Adult Use plants will be distinguished from medical plants thru colored tags.

  •  Building is 43,000 sq. ft. but the grow canopy will be a Max. of 20,000 sq. ft. (Tier 3). This maxes out their grow space. 

  • Retail locations planned in Dorchester & Watertown.

  • They’ll pay 3% sales tax. Their total payment to City is max. $400,000/year

  • Est. 4-5 month construction period. Planning on a Spring 2019 opening.  They will build half of space to start, finish in 2020. 

  • 75 employees at full build-out.  Total investment $9-10 million.
    Approve Sept 11, 2018 7-0

  • Approved Special Permit August 8, 2017 for Medical Marijuana

  • 7-11-2017 Meeting Minutes: http://www.ci.fitchburg.ma.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_07112017-1069

  • 8-8-2017 Meeting Minutes: http://www.ci.fitchburg.ma.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_08082017-1080

  • 6-19-2018 Host Agreement

  • 9-11-18 Meeting Minutes: http://www.ci.fitchburg.ma.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_09112018-1395

  • 9-10-2019 Planning Board Minutes

  • 9-10-2019 MINOR SITE PLAN REVIEW NS AJO Holdings, 20 Authority Dr. -extension on Site Plan Approval condition for Adult Use Cannabis Atty.Dan Glissman, Prince Lobel Tye& Aiden O’Donovan ofNS AJO present. Dan submitted a handout to the Board explaining their request. They are seeking an extension of the one-year period to commence operation of the Adult Use Cannabis operation, which was a condition of their October 2018 Site Plan Approval. Progress at site to date: Construction started on interior fit-out Feb. 2019. They expect to finish construction end of year. Est. start of cultivation: 1stQ 2020. Plan to open doors April 2020. Q: Will both medical and non-medical cannabis be available at the same time?Aiden: TBD. In the previous site plan approval decision there was some confusion over language. Agreed: The Board’s Site Plan Approval was intended to cover the Cultivation, Processing & Retail sales of Adult Use Cannabis. The decision will be revised to reflect that. Motion made (Mr. Fontaine) & seconded (Mr. Van Hazinga) to Approve an extension of the time period to commence operation of the Adult Use cannabis operation to one year from October2019, and also to clarify language of the Site Plan Approval. Vote in favor.

 

Native Sun Wellness, 140 Industrial Road

Cultivation/processing of Medical Marijuana

  • Mark Schuparra, CEO & Michael Drayer, head grower of Native Sun Wellness

  • Building (former Moduform) is72,000 sq. ft. on a 6.4 acre site.

  • Proposed grow canopy approx. 40,000 sq. ft.

  • They will have approx. 15 employees in Year 1.

  • DBA “Native Roots”.

  • Their retail locations will be in Cambridge. 

  • Time frame: 12-14 month build out from December 2018

  • 5-8-18 Meeting Minutes for Informal Review: http://www.ci.fitchburg.ma.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_05082018-1313

  • 12-11-18 Meeting Minutes: http://www.ci.fitchburg.ma.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_12112018-1472

  • 5-14-2019 Planning Board Minutes

  • 5-14-2019 Site Plan Review -Native Sun Wellness, expanding to cultivation/processing of Adult-Use Marijuana, 140 Industrial Rd. Hearing opened. Michael Drayer, NSW Director of Cultivation, Jamie Rheault, W&B &Atty.Phil Silverman,Vicente Sederberg present. Michael & Jamie: NSW rec’d Special Permit last year(#2018-17) to grow/process Medical Marijuana. NSW is seeking Site Plan Approval to expand to cultivation/processing of recreational cannabis, as an “Experienced Operator”, per Sec. 181.6542 of the Ordinance.Adding Adult Use is an important factor in raising the capital to make the project a reality.

  • 5-14-2019 Planning Board comments: Work to date? They have started on power upgrades to building,and have started to separate the 140 Industrial Rd. building from the adjacent Moduform building at 172Industrial Rd. Timetable? Michael estimates 3-6 months to really get going on site work. Their application is pending with the CCC. Q: Any changes to the building or floor plan with adding Adult Use? No, it will only allow them to also produce for adult use retailers. They have a retail location pending in Hudson. Grow canopy 40,000 sq. ft. Total building footprint: 70,000 sq. ft. Their Host Community Agreement for cultivating medical marijuana also covers non-medical. NSW will lease the space from a landlord parent company. NSW not interested in a retail location here now. Deliveries between ME’sare allowed. Condition suggested: If Home Delivery is ever allowed in future by CCC, it will be subject to further Planning Board approval. Public comments:Melanie Weeks (Monty Tech representative): At their meeting w/ Monty Tech School Board a few months ago, NSW had stated that they would never have a retail location at Industrial Rd.site. Mary Jo Bohart, Economic Development Director: Is Moduform staying on as a tenant in the rest of the building? Yes, for the time being. Motion made & seconded to close public hearing. Vote in favor.Motion made (Mr. Van Hazinga) & seconded (Mr. Hurley) to Approve the Site Plan, subject to: Conditions to mirror typical/existing adult use cultivation facilitiesFile disclosure forms & releases for background checks. Vote 7-0 in favor.

 

Cypress Tree Management, 431 Westminster Street

Medical & Adult Use?

Cultivation & processing of Medical Marijuana (7/18, 9/18)

  • Matt Fournier Building Owner

  • Zach Harvey, COO of Cypress Tree Mgmt.

  • d/b/a Weston Roots

  • Cypress Tree will be using 50,000 sq. ft. of the building

  • Medical marijuana cultivation establishment with 32-50 employees.

  • Approved Sept 11, 2018 7-0

 

Colonial Cannabis, 141-143 Water St.

Retail sale of Adult-Use Marijuana

  • Jack Carney, Green Era LLC

  • There will be a vestibule entrance with security.  Customers will wait in queue & wait for employee to check IDs.

  • They will only allow 20 -25 people inside store at any one time.  If waiting line extends outside, additional security will be provided. 

  • Expects peak times will be >5:00p.m. on Fridays. Hours expected to be M-Th 10-8, Fri.-Sat. 10-10

  • They are proposing to use one-half of the 3,500 sq. ft. space for retail cannabis sales and the other half for a Potential restaurant.

  • Expect to start with 4-5 employees, may go up to 7 once established.

  • 2% of retail sales with $10K annually to community relations board.

  • Approved November 13th 6-0

 Blue Collar Botany, 644 River St.

Cultivation/processing of Adult-Use Marijuana

The Caregiver-Patient Connection, 373 Lunenburg St.

Retail sales of Adult-Use Marijuana

  • Catherine Trifilo (Iandoli) & Dean Iandoli, Owners

  • Adult Use cultivation/processing facility in Barre (10,000 sq. ft.)

  • Retail Name: Solcanna

  • Hours approved by Planning Board for retail facility: 11:00 a.m. -8:00 p.m., 7 days per week.  (1-9-2019)

  • 1-9-2019 Planning Board Minutes

  • Est. 4-6 employees; 1,270 sq.ft. floor space. Maximum 12-15 customers per hour; 21 people max. capacity by building code.

  • 3% of retail sales, 5 yr. contract.  $10K/year to Community Relations Board. 

  • 11-20-2018 Host Agreement

  • 4-9-2019 Planning Board Minutes

  • 7-9-2019 Planning Board Minutes

  • 7-9-2019 Planning Board; MINOR SITE PLAN REVIEW 371 Lunenburg St., Caregiver-Patient Connection, minor revisions Mike Staiti presented revised plan by Hannigan Engineering dated 7/9/19. Revisions include angled parkingspaces in front of building, more detail on the landscaping out front, and a handicap access ramp on the right (westerly) side of the bldg. Per Building Code, the value of the site’s construction work as a % of the total valuation of the property triggers making the entire bldg. accessible, thus the need for the ramp. Ms. Caron: The replacement fences on side of the parcel should be noted on the site plan as vinyl siding. Motion made & seconded to Approve revised site plan. Vote 5-0 in favor. Mike stated construction should be complete by early August. They hope to have retail open this fall, but it depends ongetting approval from the CCC

  • Update September 2019: Retail name appears to be Local Roots

Fresh Connection Boston, LLC, 175 Kimball St

Adult-Use Marijuana Cultivation & Processing

  • Host Agreement 4-2-2019 105-19 City Council

  • 5-14-2019 Planning Board Minutes

  • 5-14-2019 Special Permit & Site Plan Review - Hearing opened. Will Seagaard & Samantha Seagaard present. Will explained plans to use the bottom floor of 175 Kimball for a Tier II (max. 10,000 sq.ft. grow canopy) cannabis cultivation facility. Phase I will have a 2,100 sq. ft. grow canopy. They will expand to 5,000 -10,000 sq. ft. Building is three stories, 300 feet long. FATV will still lease the entire 2ndfloor. No other tenants will be in the building. Fire Prevention has done several walk-throughs of the building; sprinkler heads need to be replaced. Access to grow facility is only thru the main entry. Entire site will be fenced in. The wall facing the railroad tracks has no windows. Steep rocky slope from the rear of the site down to the RR tracks. Board reviewed plan with the 300-foot buffer delineated showing all protected uses within 300’. There are 17 residential uses on Kimball St.& Rollstone St. and one church within the 300-foot radius. The nearest residential parcel is 60 feet away.They expect 5-6 employees to start, expanding to 12 on the largest shift. Host Community Agreement has been finalized, permission for background checks have been submitted.

  • 5-14-2019 Capt. Lemay: Fitchburg P.D. -No issues w/ FPD. Q: Odor control? They will use positive air pressure & charcoal filters in order to keep odors from leaving building.Timeline? They hope to be open by 2020. Mr. Fontaine suggested clearing out overgrown vegetation at the corner of Kimball & Rollstone. DPW commented they they’re interested in a drainage easementfrom the applicant. Motion made & seconded to close public hearing. Vote in favor.Motion made (Mr. Fontaine) & seconded(Mr. Hurley) to Approve a Special Permit, subject to: Usual Cannabis grow facility Special Permit conditions.Clearing out overgrown vegetation & invasives at the corner of Kimball & Rollstone. And also granting a waiver from the300-feet buffer requirement in Section 181.656. Vote 7-0 in favor.

(Pending Approval)

 

Green Era, 371 John Fitch Hwy

Retail sales of Adult-Use Marijuana

  • 1-9-2019 Planning Board Agenda Minutes

  • Jack Carney

  • 2,900 sq. ft. unit in Wallace Plaza

  • Max. capacity on sales floor:25.

  • Hours of operation: Sun. -Thurs. 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

  • Expected Cannabis suppliers to be INSA, Commonwealth Cultivation and/or Eastern Heirlooms

  • Retail Name: Colonial Cannabis

Hub Craft /Hub Culture, LLC

Medical & Adult-Use Cultivation

  • 2-19-19 Planning Board Minutes

  • Howard Tanyu, The Hub Culture, Hunter Slay & Brian Arandez, Vosht Capital, Stephen Chaisson & Rebecca Adams, AC3, LLC and Scott Cornett, Northpoint Construction Mgmt.

  • Proposal to convert entire former Parks-Cramer bldg.@ 25 Newport St. into a Recreational Cannabis cultivation & processing facility. Phase I is a 26,000 sq. ft. fit-out. Theyhave done a walk-thru w/ Fitchburg Fire Prevention & have discussed their security arrangement w/ FPD. Eventually, they plan to expand to the entire 55,000 sq. ft.building. They have reviewed the file on the prior Special Permit for this site. They are OK with complying with the conditions of that Special Permit.

  • Full build-out the entire Grow Canopy will be 30-40,000 sq. ft. Employees:Phase I -15-30. At full buildout-50-60.Lighting:Currently High Pressure Sodium, but they will be transitioning to all LEDs. Some smaller HVAC equipment will be on rooftop,large HVAC will be ground-mounted. ROI Industries(existing business in bldg.) will need to relocate. The grow facility will operate 24/7.

  • Host Agreement on 4-2-2019 City Council Agenda

Stalk & Beans, 431 Westminster St.

Cannabis Third-Party Transporter

  • Proposed to take 520 sf of space in Mill

  • 12-11-18 Meeting Minutes: http://www.ci.fitchburg.ma.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_12112018-1472

  • 1-9-2019 Planning Board Minutes

  • Matt Fournier, property owner, Matt Knox, Stalk & Beans, LLC, Rick Nagel, security consultant, Atty.Phil Silverman, John Caveney, Architect.

  • Stalk & Beans is not a retailer but acts as an Agent for the Cannabis producer, testing lab or retailer. Phil & Matt explained proposal. A small 520 s.f. portion of building will be divided off & fenced-in storage area installed for two vehicles. Drivers only get code to open lockbox in vans when they reach their intended destination. Also small office space with safe. CCC requires office safe for product storage on the rare occasion when drivers are unable to deliver product to their intended destination & they have to return. They will have two vehicles garaged overnight and three employees. Rick Nagel explained security plan. Security will be provided as if it were a dispensary.Van drivers will not be armed.

  • Host Agreement on 3-19-19 City Council Agenda

The Healing Center, 326 River St

  • 8-13-2019 Chuck Miller present to submit full application pkg for the September meeting and briefly explain plan. They are not making major changes to the former Cumberland’s site. Using previous main entrance, will have a new garage door on the side to the building for delivery of product. 20 parking spaces on site. Board comments: Show elevations of all sides of building, show screened dumpster location (if any), show access behind, show security camera locations.

  • 9-10-2019 Planning Board Minutes

  • 9-10-2019 Special Permit &Site Plan Review -The Healing Center, 356 River St. (former Cumberland Farms) Retail sales of Adult-Use Marijuana Hearing opened. Atty. Danielle de Benedictis, Paul Ferazzi, Mannie Greenspan, security guy (name) present. Applicants propose to convert the former Cumberland Farms building at the corner of Daniels & River St. into a retail facility for Adult Use Cannabis. Parcel: .45 acre. Total bldg. size:2,840 sq. ft., 2,000 sq. ft. to be used for retail. 27 parking spaces on site. Customer entrance will be in same location as Cumberland’s was.New garage door to be installed on left side of bldg. so delivery vehicle can pull completely into the bldg. They will eliminate the parking spaces shown on plan in frontof that door. Landscaping island at the intersection will be enlarged. No exterior dumpster, they’ll store waste inside bldg. USTs on site will be removed by Cumberland’s prior to closings. Cumby’s is also responsible for any contamination originating from site. Proposed hours of operation 10:00 a.m. to 10:00p.m.--will need to checkw/ FPD about closing that late. Dept. comments reviewed. Still need written comments from FPD. Board comments: Board reviewed 300-foot buffer map -Will need waiver of 300-foot buffer from residential portion of the One Oak Hill Rd. parcel (Anwelt Heritage Apts.). Applicant should think about whether existing bollards in front of building still needed, go with curb stops instead? Q: Host Community agreement? They are working w/ City Solicitor on it. Security plan & camera locations discussed. (security guy)has worked with several other cannabis applicants other communities. They have contracts w/ 15 other Cannabis facilities to provide security systems.Suggested off-site improvements: Repair sidewalk at corner of Daniels St. & River St. Ms.Caron suggested clearing vegetation on sidewalks underneath the nearby R/R underpass, make it easier for pedestrians. It was noted that although the Police Department has noted tacit approval of the project, their formal comments were not submitted for this hearing. Given that this is a dispensary on a busy rotary, their opinion was needed before making a final decision.Mr. Fontaine noted that a vinyl fence would be preferred in the rear of the building. They noted a chain-link was preferred by the Police Department for security reason. It was also noted that plan shows rest room in lobby? Public restroom on site would not be preferable, given the use. However, if so, customers should be required to leave their purchases at front desk before entering rest rooms. Q:Is a restroom open to the public even req’d by Bldg. Code?Applicant should check with the Building Department. Public comments: Dorothy Rouleau, Star Storage, 320 River St. -Wanted more information about project.Kathleen Dufour, 356 River St. -Traffic at Cleghorn Rotary is getting worse.Timing of signals on all approaches need to be looked at. Motion made and seconded to continue the hearing to the October 8th meeting.

Cannaburg Cultivation Coorperative LLC, 310 Broad St.

Adult-Use Cannabis cultivation

  • Rob Bujold of Westminster Millworks present. Total building area:56,000 sq.ft. Proposes to convert 14,000 sq. ft. on 2nd floor into a small, coöp. grower, 4,000 sq. ft. total grow canopy.

  • Building is outside of 300-foot buffer to Crocker Field, but perhaps within 200 -feet of the Horizon Church parcel. Rob will pursue Special Permit.

  • 11-13-2018 Meeting Minutes: http://www.ci.fitchburg.ma.us/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_11132018-1446

  • 8-14-2019 Planning Board Minutes

  • 8-14-2019 310 Broad St. (Westminster Millworks) Sean Morrison & Rob Bujold in to informally discuss a Coöp grow facility (max. Grow Canopy 10,000 sq. ft.) on a portion of the 2nd floor of the Westminster Millworks building at 310 Broad St. No visible changes from the outside, although they will need to add another entrance on Broad St. Building footprint takes up entire lot; there is no room for off-street parking. Board comments: Show elevations of all sides of building, show screened dumpster location (if any), show access behind bldg., show security camera locations, show how security plan works with having multiple tenants in the bldg.

  • 9-10-2019 Planning Board Minutes

  • 9-10-2019 Special Permit & Site Plan Review- Cannaburg Cultivation Cooperative, LLC, 310 Broad St., Cultivation of Adult-Use Marijuana Hearing opened. Rob Bujold, applicant & property owner and Sean Morrison present. Applicant proposes a coöp grow facility (max. grow canopy 10,000 sq. ft.) on a portion of the 2nd floor of 310 Broad St. Building footprint takes up entire lot; there is no room for off-street parking. Rob unsure if current business (Westminster Millworks) will stay in bldg. No other tenants will be in bldg. All windows will be re-done. New man door will be installed on first floor. There is another access out the rear of the bldg.Board reviewed interior layout. Applicant noted that the building was going to be renovated with historic tax credits, and so would follow historic preservation standards. Board comments: Strongly suggest changing name instead of “Cannaburg”. Show elevations of all sides of building, show screened dumpster location (if any), show access behind bldg., show security camera locations, and show how security plan works with having multiple tenants in the bldg. Inside trash receptacle, no outside dumpster. Dept. comments reviewed. Public Comment: Nick Squailia, 315 Broad St. across the street. Willing to lease Rob as many space as needed Motion made & seconded to close hearing. Vote in favor.Motion made (Mr. Fontaine) & seconded (Mr. Van Hazinga) to Approve Special Permit with conditionsIf interior layout is modified, subject to Planning Board review & approval. Upper floors to remain vacant. Any future tenants subject to Planning Board review & approval.Subject to addressing Dept.review comments. Repair windows in entire building.Provide written lease for use of parking spaces across street at 315 Broad St. Subject to Planning Board review & approval of the applicant’s Standard Operating Procedures for the cultivation facility. Subject to City Council approval of Host Community Agreement. Vote 7-0 in favor.

 (Informal)

ACT Labs

Independent Cannabis Testing Lab

  • Special Permit & Site Plan Review 5-14-2019 Planning Board Minutes

  • 131 John Fitch Hwy.

  • Logan Morse, ACT labs

  • Will be using site of the former “Sunsations” tanning salon. ACT Labs currently has locations in four other states & they plan to expand to five more. Estimated build-out 8 weeks, while waiting for CCC approval. There will be cameras at front door, double vestibules w/ key card entry only. Only employees will be allowed in bldg. ACT employees go to sites to pick up random samples. Their average sample size is .35 grams (sandwich bag size). They will have two vans. JFH site will have 7 designated parking spaces for ACT Labs. Hours will depend on demand, but likely M-F 8:00 -5:00 to start and maybe more. Initially will have 4 employees to start & expand to about 10.

226 Westminster St.

Retail sales of Adult Use Cannabis

  • 2-19-2019 Planning Board Minutes

  • 226 Westminster St. Mr. Patel & others presented proposal & asked Board whether this would be a suitable location.Board & Capt. Lemay comments: A high visibility site, however would need Waivers of the 300-foot Buffer from residential neighbors to the rear (Temple St., Vernon Court, Vernon St., etc.) Applicants may pursue in the future but were advised that there is a limited number of Retail locations that can be approved.

Oxford Investment Partners, LLC, 25 Newport St.

Cannabis Cultivation/processing

 

 

Documents: 2018 2-15 Planning Board non-medical marijuana amendments

MY PERSONAL NOTES for the 3-12-2018 Council as a Whole Marijuana Meeting

032-18  3% Local Sales Tax, Approve.

033-18 Alcoholic Beverages and Marijuana
This Ordinance to amend 56-1 of the City Code appears to disallow the Consumption of Marijuana in a public area explicitly; without any ability for the City to allow it for special circumstances that may arise like for special events.

Whereas, in this same Ordinance, Alcohol is also prohibited in a public area, unless in an area licensed by the Board of License Commissioners.

Why are we not treating Marijuana in the same fashion as alcohol, and subjecting it to the limitations of the areas as licensed by the Board of License Commissioners?

When and If Social Consumption businesses are allowed by the State Cannabis Control Commission, will the Board of License Commissioners be our City entity that would regulate Marijuana Licenses? I would assume so.

Move to amend the proposed Ordinance to subject the Public Consumption Marijuana use to the same limitations as Alcohol.

034-18 Marijuana Retailers

This ordinance sets the number of allowed Marijuana Retailers, defined as: an entity licensed to purchase and deliver non-medical marijuana and marijuana products from ‘Marijuana Establishments’ and to deliver, sell or otherwise transfer non-medical marijuana and marijuana products to ME’s and their consumers.

It is currently proposed to set the maximum for the city at the minimum number as allowed per the State Act to Ensure Safe Access to Marijuana Section 23 which basically says that if a majority of our citizens voted yes on Question 4, which Fitchburg was 56.8% yes, then we cannot “ limit the number of marijuana retailers to fewer than 20 per cent of the number of licenses issued within the city or town for the retail sale of alcoholic beverages not to be drunk on the premises where sold” unless we put it on the ballot.

We have approximately 18 Alcohol Package Stores in the City of Fitchburg.
A 20% maximum would limits us currently to (4) allowable Marijuana Retailer licenses. 18 locations throughout the city to purchase Alcohol, and 4 for Marijuana.

Move to amend the proposed Ordinance to limit the total number of Marijuana Retailer licenses to be equal to the number of alcoholic beverage licenses not to be drunk on the premises.

035-18 Social Marijuana Consumption

This ordinance regulates the allowance of public Social Marijuana Consumption businesses in Fitchburg.
The Cannabis Control Regulations as of 3-9-2018, 935 CMR, prohibit social consumption businesses already, so I see no need to further prohibit this in the city ordinance.
If CCC Regulations, 935 CMR, is amended to allow Social Consumption Businesses, the question is if Fitchburg wants to disallow this business model right from the start?
We currently have 68 locations in the city where Alcohol can be consumed on premises, in a restaurant, bar or special event location such as the Airport, Main Street or at Fitchburg State University.
I believe banning Social Consumption businesses altogether, when we have 68 locations for alcohol, is not in spirit with Question 4, that passed with 56.8% of Fitchburg Voters voting Yes, that read in part “The purpose of this act is to control the production and distribution of marijuana… in a manner similar to alcohol and to make it legal for adults 21 years of age or older”
Move to give this ordinance leave to withdraw.

036-18 Marijuana as a Drug

Move to amend the ordinance to Add the Definition for Marijuana on its own line, and not be sub-classified under the drug definition.

037-18 Prohibit underage use

Ok!

Skip to 54:35 for Cannabis Discussion

MY PERSONAL Public Hearing 4-3-2018 Notes

Amend the 1,000 Feet between Marijuana Establishments to 300 Feet.

While this distance may be workable in larger cities, in Fitchburg it would be onerous and an unfair burden to proposed retailers or store-front owners who find themselves in violation of that 1,000' distance due to our relative size and another retailer who happened to get a location earlier. -David Streb

 

The proposed buffer for schools to Marijuana Establishments is 300ft.

Easthampton requires 200ft between MRs.

 

Amend 181.6544 to strike the reference to no more than 20% of the alcohol package store licenses and only refer to the City Ordinance that establishes the allowed maximum number.

 

Amend 181.9414 D15 Marijuana Cultivation Establishments to include Mill Overlay Districts in addition to LI and I zones

Provide good reuse of the empty mill buildings throughout the mill overlay district and provide needed tax income for the city

 

D16 to include the new Marijuana Retailer District Overlay Areas

Here is the updated map provided by the city for the proposed allowable Retail Marijuana zoning areas to be voted on April 17th, 2018