Framingham Marijuana Cultivator Gets Green Light

FRAMINGHAM, MA — A marijuana cultivator recently became the third marijuana-related business to get the green light from Framingham officials to move forward in the approval process. The city's Marijuana Advisory Team signed off on CareGiver-Patient Connection's plan to build a growing facility at 61 Tripp St. The business still needs final approval from Mayor Yvonne Spicer in the form a host community agreement.

CareGiver-Patient Connection is based in Barre and plans on selling their product wholesale to marijuana dispensaries across the state. Their products include marijuana flower and cannabis infused edibles such as cookies and gummies.

The company has owned the industrial complex on Tripp Street since 1995 and plans on hiring 25 workers. The company said it has been in communication with City Councilor Edgardo Torres and the mayor's office since May 2018 and stressed a push for local hiring. In its first two years of business in the city, the company anticipates generating $15 million in revenue, bringing the city nearly $300,000 per year in community impact fees — equal to three percent of the company's annual revenue.

CareGiver-Patient Connection is working on placing another cultivation site in Barre along with three dispensaries elsewhere in the state. The company said, in documents submitted to the Marijuana Advisory Team, that it has "extensive existing relationships with local contractors whom we plan on using for the buildout of the site." The company budgeted $4.2 million for licensing, site development, construction of its grow facility and six months’ worth of operating costs along with an additional $800,000 to build out retail spaces.

So far, the advisory team has approved two other marijuana-related businesses to move forward with host community agreements. Both businesses plan to open dispensaries in the city. Union Twist has plans for a dispensary at 630 Worcester Road, while Temescal Wellness already has a medical dispensary at 665 Cochituate Road and plans on expanding to include recreational sales as well.

There may be another businesses joining the ranks as city Chief Operating Officer Thatcher Kezer said an announcement about another pick could come this week. Kezer told the City Council at Tuesday's meeting that officials were still drafting a letter to a company whose application advanced to the mayor.

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