For Immediate Release: 3/7/2019 11:42 am
The City of Worcester will enter into negotiations for a community host agreement with one additional marijuana retail establishment, bringing the total number of retail stores to 14. By state law, the City is required to allow for 15 marijuana retail establishments.
The community host agreement includes language permitting a community impact fee and other local regulatory oversight. A signed host agreement is a requirement of the state Cannabis Control Commission application.
The new marijuana retail establishment is: Nature’s Remedy – 140 Southbridge St.
The 14 proposed retail establishments are in addition to five approved manufacturing businesses. Manufacturing businesses are not open to the public and have limited signage and visibility. At full operation, the retail and manufacturing businesses are estimated to create 275 jobs.
Each potential new operator must still receive approval from the Cannabis Control Commission, the Planning Board and the License Commission.
The City of Worcester issued a Request for Interest (RFI) as a process for reviewing adult use marijuana establishments seeking community host agreements. Each potential operator was required to submit to the City completed copies of the Application of Intent, Management and Operations Profile and any other documents required by the Cannabis Control Commission. The operator was also required to host a community outreach meeting.
An interdepartmental team from the City reviewed the applications and interviewed all applicants. Recommendations were then made to the City Manager who ultimately has the authority to enter into the community host agreement.
A total of 47 applicants applied through the City of Worcester Request for Interest (or had received prior approval due to their medical marijuana status) for a variety of cannabis-related licenses.
No new applications for a retail establishment are currently being accepted, however applications for manufacturing businesses are being accepted on a rolling basis.
