Opposition to marijuana takes a hit as Grafton approves third retail license

When a third retail marijuana license was proposed at Town Meeting in 2019, voters said no. When it was proposed again, this time by citizen petition, they said no again.

A year later, a population that has watched as other towns receive marijuana revenue as Grafton faced financial issues — and has yet to see a retail marijuana establishment open its doors — said yes at Saturday’s Town Meeting to a joint proposal by the town’s Economic Development Commission and Select Board.

Grafton will now have three retail marijuana licenses.

“Marijuana isn’t on trial here,” said Maureen Swire after several speakers spoke of the dangers of the drug, legalized in Massachusetts back in 2016. “It’s whether we bring in more revenue.”

Back in February, the Select Board formally adopted a “First to the Finish Line” policy for marijuana retailers. Simply put, there are three business with signed Host Community Agreements now in play for retail licenses: MJ’s Market, Resinate, and Discern’d Cannabis Purveyors. All three have spent money and time on renovations and building. All three are making their way through the state Cannabis Control Commission’s process.

The first two businesses to meet all the town and state requirements will get to open. Without another license, the third would have spent the past few years on a project that isn’t going to happen.

One business, Resinate, slated to move into 135 Westboro Road, has already issued a threat to sue the town if it is not allowed to open, citing $818,000 in project costs as of February and a letter from former town administrator Tim McInerney stating that it is a “valid license holder” in the town of Grafton.

“The Town of Grafton is hereby put on notice that should the Select Board or any other town board or town official attempt to terminate Resinate’s HCA or otherwise interfere with Resinate’s lawfully permitted business, there will be consequences,” wrote John J. Ferrier of Ferrier & Ferrier, the Holyoke attorneys representing Resinate, back in February.

Meanwhile, Discern’d Cannabis Purveyors backer Bruce Spinney, whose building continues to rise at 130 and 134 Worcester Street, has hopes he might be ready for business by fall. The CCC has granted the business a provisional license and, despite it being the last to file for a license, it looks to be the first to cross the finish.

Scott Rossiter, speaking at Town Meeting, said he is proud to be a lifelong Grafton resident but “I am not proud of this article… we looked at this article not once, but twice before.

“Why does it keep coming back?” he asked. “It keeps coming back because somebody in the dark corners is working to make sure they get this license… I say three times, three strikes, you’re out.”

Select Board member Ray Mead, recently appointed to the EDC after he won election to the board, reminded Rossiter of their longtime friendship and his own opposition to more licenses. “There is nothing going on in the dark hallows of the Grafton Municipal Center.”

Andy Jefferson, noting that he was outing himself, said he has visited multiple retail marijuana locations in the area and found them to be much more cautious and secure than liquor stores. 

“I don’t think we’re in a position to reject that revenue,” he said.

While no official figures were available on the vote, Town Moderator Dawn Anderson said the measure passed by a 2-1 margin.

Something went wrong!

Help support Grafton’s only independent source of news with a donation!