Joint push by Grafton officials may bring marijuana expansion back to Town Meeting

The last time an increase in marijuana licenses came before Town Meeting, voters declared that two was enough.

Things, however, have changed since last June, when potential marijuana purveyor Bruce Spinney sponsored a citizen petition to increase allowed retailers from two to three. 

The Economic Development Commission and the Select Board are discussing another attempt to increase the number of retail establishments allowed in town from two to three.

“I have talked to John Allen and we both agree that increasing the number of cannabis licenses from 2 to 3 would be in the town’s best interest,” EDC Chair Karl Moisan wrote in a letter to the Select Board. “I was quite disappointed when the last warrant requesting an increase in licenses did not pass. The read that I took away from that town meeting was that there were many people set on voting against an additional license. Hopefully, an endorsement from the EDC would help.”

What’s changed since June 20, 2020 and how might it affect voters at Town Meeting on June 5, 2021?

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. 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, Spinney, whose building for Discern’d Cannabis Purveyors is now rising at 130 and 134 Worcester Street, told the Select Board last month he expects to be ready for business this summer. The CCC has granted the business a provisional license.

Moisan and Allen at the EDC, however, would rather not turn business away.

“I believe allowing for these 3 licenses would prove to be a great opportunity to shine a spotlight on the town of Grafton and perhaps serve as a vehicle to send a message to other businesses that Grafton is on the map with room to grow,” Moisan wrote. “With John’s assistance, I will bring this recommendation to the Economic Development Committee, with the Chairman’s endorsement.”

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