MJ’s Market nears end of Grafton marijuana process

The race to become Grafton’s first marijuana retailer has a leader: MJ’s Market, Inc., which hopes to cultivate and sell marijuana at 13 Centennial Drive.

Interest in the Planning Board’s public hearing on the proposal looked high, but the bulk of the audience left after an earlier hearing, for a 37-lot residential development off North Street, was continued until Dec. 9.

Those that remained — from the public, in any case — heard more details about the company’s plans to grow marijuana in a facility where air and water emissions will be heavily monitored and samples will be regularly sent out for testing.

“Plants are bio-extractors,” explained MJ’s Market’s Brian Foley. “Whatever is in the soil, is in the plant. We’re going to be a very clean operation…. with the wastewater, you shouldn’t even know we exist. That’s literally money down the drain for us.”

This would be the company’s first marijuana operation, should the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission sign off. But first, it needs a sign-off from the Planning Board and the Building Inspector.

The facility will employ about 40 people and will process, grow and sell marijuana. On-site consumption is not allowed.

The Planning Board continued the hearing to Nov. 25, when a draft decision will be ready to sign.

The Board of Selectmen will be discussing marijuana at their meeting Tuesday, Nov 5.