Mansfield Select Board Approves Retail Marijuana Shop

MANSFIELD, MA — Mansfield could soon see its first recreational marijuana dispensary. The Select Board approved a community host agreement with Releaf Alternative for a 3,200 square-foot recreational dispensary at 321 School St., across from the Mansfield Crossing shopping plaza.

Two weeks ago, the business presented its plans before the Select Board. And on Wednesday, the board voted 4 to 1 in favor of allowing Releaf to move forward in seeking approval from the town's planning board at a public hearing, the Sun Chronicle reported. The agreement grants Mansfield 3 percent of the company's sales revenue and requires Releaf to make hiring Mansfield residents a priority. The company is projected to create 10 to 15 jobs, according to CEO Connor McLaughlin.

McLaughlin said the marijuana will be highly regulated, grown organically, and prepackaged offsite. The company plans to sell a variety of products including, several varieties of traditional marijuana, edibles, oils, and patches.

Releaf proposed being open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week. If given the green light to open, the dispensary will at first, require customers to make appointments; walk-ins would come later. There will be 200 parking spaces available for customers, while employees would be shuttled from another offsite lot.

Security for the site includes several checkpoints before being able to purchase marijuana, security cameras in every room besides the restrooms, onsite security guards, and panic buttons in every room. Any deliveries to the store will require finger print checks. Former Rochester, New Hampshire Police Chief Michael Allen works as a consultant for the business and reviewed all security measures with Police Chief Ronald Sellon prior to the board's approval.

Selectman Steven Schoonveld was the lone board member to vote against the agreement. Schoonveld said he wanted more time to work on the agreement and was worried about the amount of people consuming marijuana at concerts.

"We have thousands of people attending concerts," Schoonveld told the Sun Chronicle, referring regarding the Xfinity Center.

Releaf said any concerns can be addressed during the public meeting before the planning board. If the planning board approves the company's special permit, the next step is for Releaf Alternative to seek approval from the state's Cannabis Control Commission.