Haverhill is one step closer to a retail marijuana dispensary in the downtown business district after the City Council unanimously granted Stem owner Caroline Pineau a special permit hearing date Tuesday night.
Pineau, hoping to do business at 124 Washington St., will petition the Council in the next step of her application process on Tuesday, June 18.
“I’m so appreciative of the support from the many Haverhill residents, downtown neighbors and business owners that have reassured me that my community-focused mission to bring a safe and secure, state-of-the art cannabis dispensary to Washington Street will help enhance our downtown business district.”
As WHAV previously reported, Pineau was among the first to ink a host community agreement with Mayor James J. Fiorentini in December 2018 and is considered a economic empowerment applicant in the eyes of the state Cannabis Control Commission, giving her priority among Haverhill’s pool of applicants.
Pineau intends to do business from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon-7 p.m. on Sundays. Other logistics including her traffic study, security plan and business operating procedures will be discussed during the special permit hearing before the Council. Stem plans to sell cannabis products including flower, edibles, manufacturing products and body lotions. No on-site consumption is allowed.
As she moves forward in the process, Pineau—who owns Washington Street’s Yoga Tree studio—hopes to further the positive relationship she’s fostered with the city and locals who frequent the downtown district.
“Stem is dedicated to being a good neighbor,” Pineau told WHAV. “We intend to be excellent corporate citizens.”
According to Fiorentini’s office, the city’s first dispensary could open as early as July. Pineau is the second marijuana shop owner to receive a special permit hearing date. Full Harvest Moonz CEO Janet Kupris plans to petition the Council on May 21 to discuss her business model for 101 Plaistow Road.