Select Board Announces Lineup for Retail Marijuana Hearings

Eight sessions will span three nights, beginning June 13

The Select Board will convene three special sessions to review applications for the town’s three retail marijuana licenses. To be considered, applicants needed to submit an application, input received during the Community Outreach Meetings and a Host Community Agreement as well Planning Board approval of their site plans.

The Select Board will look for, among other factors, demonstrated relevant experience in the cannabis industry or a similar industry, a business plan, a parking and traffic mitigation plan and evidence that the business has enough capital to succeed. The board may also consider geographical location. The red boxes on the zoning map indicate the three areas where outlets may be sited. There are currently proposals for all three zones — three in South Tewksbury, three in the area of East St. and Shawsheen and two on Rt. 38 near the Lowell line.

The board has stated it may favor a qualified local applicant, and Chair Todd Johnson stressed that three, two, one or no licenses may be awarded during this round of hearings.

Here is the lineup. If these links don’t work, use the ones from the main Retail Marijuana Licenses page.

Monday, June 12

6 p.m.: Sundaze, 2504 Main St.
This proposal is for the former Sal’s Pizza location in South Tewksbury. Sundaze is locally owned by residents Brad Tosto, Peter Wilson and Stephen Doherty. This would be their first foray into retail cannabis. The property would be leased. In its application, the company said it will “look to hire employees from the surrounding area and will contract with local vendors whenever possible, which will in turn support the local economy. Additionally, donations will be made to support non-profits and groups with aligned values whenever possible.” Learn more.

7 p.m.: Lazy River Product, 553 Main St.
This proposal is for an 8,700 square foot dispensary between Ocean State Job Lot and Papa Gino’s, in the space currently used between Thanksgiving and Christmas for a pop-up crafter’s market. The proponent, William Cassotis, owns Lazy River Products, based in Dracut, and has been in the cannabis business since legalization. The existing 40,000 square foot facility in Dracut features cultivation, lab and kitchen facilities and a retail operation and will supply product to the Tewksbury site. The property would be leased. Learn more.

8 p.m.: Full Harvest Moonz, 1 Main St.
This proposal is for the currently vacant Simon’s Service Center, an approximately 1,500 sf building directly across from the entrance to Stadium Plaza. The owners of Full Harvest Moonz, Janet Kupris, Michaela Ristuccia and HMD Enterprises, have locations in Lowell and Haverhill. They signed a long-term lease on the property with an option to purchase. The Planning Board had some concerns regarding traffic but approved the site plan. Learn more.

Tuesday, June 13

6 p.m.: The Stories Company LLC, 2122 Main St.
This proposal is for the now-vacant lot next to Donna’s Donuts. The plan is for a 5,400 square foot building, with half of that the dispensary and the remaining 2,700 square feet for a future retail, office or restaurant use. Davis and Yash Patel of The Stories Company have a P&S agreement for the property. They promise to “improve the condition of the property by limiting the idling trucks early in the morning who currently park on our proposed property while purchasing donuts and coffee from a nearby business.” Learn more.

7 p.m.: Community Care Collective, 1693 Shawsheen St.
This location is currently a contractor yard run by MDR Construction, and a large portion of the lot and building would remain with that usage. Collective owner Dave Giannetta would rent several bays in the building with a 10-year lease and two five-year options. Giannetta currently owns retail cannabis shops in Billerica and Littleton and presented a comprehensive application, including detailed information on security, inventory and transportation plans. Learn more.

8 p.m.: Pure Tewksbury d/b/a Smyth Cannabis, 1695 Shawsheen St.
This proposal is for a Tewksbury location of Smyth Cannabis on the currently vacant wooded lot next to Keri Plaza. Pure proposes to clear the lot and build a 6,600 square foot standalone building and 70 parking spots; 4,510 sf would be the dispensary, with the remaining space housing Smyth’s corporate offices. The company, which is majority owned by James Statires, Todd Brady and Andrew Statires, said it will offer preferred employment opportunities to local residents. In its proposed timeline, the company projects sales to consumers commencing 415 days after the Cannabis Control Commission signs off, which itself can take months. That highlights the long timeline facing all the proponents. Learn more.

Note that Smyth originally proposed to build in 1699 Shawsheen St., Keri Plaza, adjacent to Luna Rossa. That location is not currently scheduled to be presented to the Select Board.

Tuesday, June 20
6 p.m.: Bella Luna LLC, 890 East St.
The 890 East St. location is an existing office building, which, like several other proposals, is in-line with Tewksbury’s preference for marijuana establishments to utilize vacant buildings where possible. The dispensary would be in Suite 2, a leased 5,200 square feet of space with 24 dedicated parking spaces and access from Lumber Lane. Bella Luna owner Patrick Nichols, a Tewksbury resident, would receive an investment from Cannavana Inc., which owns a dispensary in Rockland. The proposal states an intent to contribute to local charitable and non-profit organizations that have a local focus. Learn more.

7 p.m.: Carbonear LLC, 2186-2196 Main St.
This proposal is for the vacant lot between Jim Boudreau’s Automotive and Maverick’s, bordered by March Rd. Resident Dean Graffeo is listed as owner, with capital from Red Sky Investment Holdings. Graffeo has an option to purchase the lot. Rob DiFazio is listed as an operating partner; DiFazio is CEO of cannabis operator CNA stores, which was named Veteran Owned Business of the Year by the Haverhill Chamber of Commerce. The application lays out a plan for “Operation Give Back,” in which the company says it aims to donate 1% of profits and 100 employee volunteer hours annually; it projects $8 million in gross annual sales. Learn more.

These two proponents as well as 1695 Shawsheen St. are on the June 12 Planning Board agenda.