SOUTHWICK — The principals of Pioneer Valley Trading Co., the recreational cannabis store working through the permitting process to open in town, made their first appearance in front of the Planning Board on Jan. 7 and they were “excited to get it going.”
“There is a long road ahead,” said co-owner of the store Michael Albert, “but we’re very familiar with the process … we just did it in Westfield and it’s still fresh … and excited to get it going.”
Albert and Co-owner Jason Fiore were at the board’s meeting to answer any questions about the special permit they applied for to open in the former Southwick Episcopal Church at 660 College Hwy., which is required by the town to open a recreational cannabis store.
Pioneer Valley was one of two retailers chosen in July by the Select Board after asking for proposals from cannabis-related businesses that wanted to open in town. Since then, it has conducted its state mandated community outreach meeting, and secured the host agreement with the town, which the other retailer, Haven, has also secured. Haven has yet to host the community outreach meeting.
Before questions, Albert provided the board a snapshot of the steps that must be taken before the store can open — which is several months away — and much of it involves the state’s Cannabis Control Commission.
Albert said the CCC has deemed the store’s application for a provisional license “complete,” but it won’t become official until it is approved by the CCC at a future meeting, which could happen in January or February.
Once the provisional license is granted, the CCC conducts an architectural plan review of the building before renovations can start, Albert said, adding that his experience opening the company’s first cannabis dispensary, also Pioneer Valley Trading Co. in Westfield, has been invaluable.
“We’re not intimidated about it,” he said about the architectural plan review.
However, Pioneer Valley can’t be granted a special permit by the town until after the provisional license has been granted.
“Once we get the architectural approval, that’s when can start building,” Albert said.
The building will remain as it is now, but the interior will be remodeled creating a space for the retail space, office, security and consulting spaces, said Terry Reynolds, who owns the Florence-based T. Reynolds Engineering.
When Albert and Fiore were making their presentation to the Select Board last July, Albert said the plan was to also include a medical cannabis dispensary.
Planning Board member Jessica Ann Thornton said she had looked at the plans for the interior renovations of the building and didn’t see the area where medical cannabis patients could purchase product.
Albert explained that recreational retailers that want to also provide medical cannabis, which isn’t taxed at all, must grow their own cannabis — that must also be licensed by the CCC.
“We have to have the ability to provide that to medical marijuana patients with a grow,” he said, adding that the “next order of business” is to add the “medical component.”
Thornton then said it was her understanding that recreational cannabis customers and medical cannabis patients were supposed to be segregated when paying for product.
Albert pointed out there are nine points of sale inside the building that will be created during the renovations and that three will be designated as medical only.
He added that the renovations will include areas specifically for medical sales.
Planning Board member Michael Doherty asked if there were any residents that wanted to make a comment.
Former Town Planner Marcus Phelps asked Albert about the community outreach meeting that took place in September at the business location.
Albert said two people showed up and received a tour of the facility.
Town Planner Jon Goddard said he had received an email from a resident asking about the retailer’s sign in front of the building.
Goddard said the resident wanted some assurance the sign would be tactful.
Albert said the sign currently in front will not change. He is planning to simply put the company logo and name on it with a small banner across the top of the brick structure that will read “premium cannabis.”
“There will be no other signage,” he said.
The board continued the public hearing until its next meeting on Jan. 21 and will again be open for public comments.
Because Albert was unsure of when the CCC would issue the provisional license, there was some discussion about conducting the next public hearing in February.
Albert said there was a chance the CCC would approve the license at its next meeting in January and he wanted to keep the Jan. 21 date.
“That’s another two-week delay we don’t want,” he said.
