Medical Marijuana Is On Its Way To Natick

NATICK, MA- Natick's first medical marijuana dispensary is on its way thanks to approval from the Board of Selectmen.

Bountiful Farms got approval from the board for both a Host Community Agreement and a development agreement for a proposed dispensary at 13 Mercer Road which sits in an office park behind the Crowne Plaza on Rte. 9. While its a big step for the dispensary it is far from the last. Bountiful Farms still needs a special permit from the Planning Board and a review from the state.

Negotiations between the dispensary and the town began in December for the 4,000 square foot proposed facility. The company is based in Franklin and its Chief Operating Officer, Jeffrey Barton, is from Hopkinton.

Under the Host Community Agreement the company will make quarterly payments to the town that represents 3 percent of gross sales. The payments are meant to cover the impact the facility may have on the community like increased law enforcement. The development agreement requires Bountiful Farms to pay $20,000 each year to the town for substance-abuse and mental-health services.

The dispensary has agreed to limit sales to only medical marijuana and give hiring preference to people who live in Natick. Board member Michael Hickey gave his support to Barton at the Board of Selectmen's meeting, saying he was rooting for the company's success. "This is all new," Hickey said, "There's a lot on you to make sure that this runs really well."

Barton told the board he was excited to be moving along in the process and responded to Hickey by saying, "The proof is in the pudding." Barton acknowledged the steps still left to complete before the dispensary could open but was thankful to have the board's approval. "We're not done yet," he said, "This was the first step."

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