MA: Marijuana Dispensary Agreement Approved In Georgetown

Katelyn Baker

Well-Known Member
After months of negotiating, the Georgetown Board of Selectmen has approved a host agreement with medical marijuana company Healthy Pharms. This opens the way for the business to start growing cannabis for sale at 401 E. Main St., where an envelope factory once stood.

Like all the other dispensaries launched in the state since medical marijuana was legalized a few years back, it's been a long procedural journey for Healthy Pharms, which initially requested to open a dispensary and cannabis growing facility in town. Previously they had tried to set up shop in Haverhill, but that process was stalled and the company brought its business to Georgetown.

The agreement is lengthy, but below are the highlights.

1. Money: Healthy Pharms will give the town money to pay for extra services - police, fire, etc. - that may be needed with the new facility, with amounts gradually increasing over time. The Board of Selectmen may use the funds at its discretion.

Here's how the money breaks down:

  • In its first year, Healthy Pharms will give the town $100,000 as well as 2.5 percent of gross retail sales revenue over $4,000,000.

  • In the second year, the company will give the town $150,000 and 3 percent of gross retail sales.

  • In the third year and consecutive years after that, the town will get $200,000 and 3 percent of gross retail sales.

  • In addition to that, Healthy Pharms will give the town an annual donation: $10,000 in the first year; $15,000 in the second year; $20,000 in the third year; and $25,000 in the fourth year and each year after that.

  • And if the town decides to allow other dispensaries to set up shop in Georgetown, payments from Healthy Pharms to the town will be reduced because its payments will be divided up with the other facilities.
2. Growth: Healthy Pharms will be growing marijuana at its Georgetown location. And under the agreement, the company will grow as much marijuana as legally permitted, using the entire East Main Street facility, before it is allowed to open another grow operation elsewhere.

And Healthy Pharms has to exhaust all planning and permitting procedures for expanding its Georgetown property and be denied expansion before it can set up a growing facility elsewhere.

3. Safety: With most medical marijuana facilities, public safety is raised as a concern. The Healthy Pharms agreement addresses that.

For starters, the company must coordinate with the Georgetown Police Department in things like planning and setting up outside security cameras and other safety measures and will must meet with police on a regular basis for review.

Healthy Pharms will also provide staff to town-sponsored health and drug abuse prevention programs.

4. Miscellaneous: Under the agreement, Healthy Pharms will operate as a Department of Public Health-sanctioned medical marijuana facility. Massachusetts voters recently approved a measure legalizing cannabis for recreational use, but if Healthy Pharms wants to expand or change operations for non-medical marijuana, it must enter into a whole new agreement with the town.

The company has also agreed to try to hire qualified Georgetown residents and use local vendors when possible. And it will pay tax on the property, despite being a non-profit.

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News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Marijuana Dispensary Agreement Approved In Georgetown
Author: Bryan McGonigle
Contact: 978-739-8506
Photo Credit: None Found
Website: Wicked Local Georgetown
 
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