Hull Approves First Retail Marijuana License
Select Board to determine if second license available under current bylaws
HULL, MA - November 6 - The Hull Select Board has approved a host community agreement with Alternative Compassion Services for the town's first retail marijuana establishment. The decision came during a meeting Monday night where two applicants presented their proposals for retail marijuana businesses in Hull.
Alternative Compassion Services (ACS), which currently operates a medical marijuana dispensary in Hull, received unanimous approval from the board to enter into negotiations for a host community agreement. This agreement is a crucial step towards obtaining a retail marijuana license.
"I personally right now am ready to make a motion to get into a host community agreement with Alternative Compassion Services at this point. They are what I would classify as shovel-ready," said board member Greg Grey.
The board's decision was based on ACS's existing operations in Hull and their readiness to expand into retail sales. Stephen Werther, representing ACS, detailed the company's experience and current medical marijuana operations in the town.
"We've been operating there for two and a half years and it's right on George Washington Boulevard. You know, we've had no issues in our location," Werther said.
ACS estimates serving between 100 to 150 customers daily once retail operations begin. The company plans to maintain its medical marijuana license alongside the new retail license.
The board also heard a presentation from Skarr Inc., represented by Anthony Ghosn, for a proposed retail marijuana establishment. While no decision was made on Skarr's application, the board expressed appreciation for their interest in investing in Hull.
A key issue that emerged during the meeting was the uncertainty around the number of retail marijuana licenses available in Hull. The board and town counsel are working to clarify whether the town's bylaws allow for one or two retail licenses.
"We'll have to take a peek at yours, renew, so we'll have to take a peek at that and double-check to see the availability of that, should one or both be considered," said Town Counsel Katherine Feodoroff.
This uncertainty led the board to delay a decision on a potential second license until their next meeting in two weeks. The board emphasized that while they can approve up to two licenses, they are not obligated to issue both.
The approval process for retail marijuana establishments in Hull involves multiple steps. After the host community agreement is negotiated, applicants must obtain planning board approval before applying to the state's Cannabis Control Commission.
Town counsel estimated that the local approval process could be completed within three to four months, potentially allowing ACS to begin the state approval process before May.
The board also discussed the implementation of a social equity policy for marijuana businesses, as required by state regulations. While Hull has not yet adopted such a policy, it must be in place by May 2025.
In other business, the board held a tax classification hearing where they voted to maintain a single tax rate for all property types in Hull for fiscal year 2025. The estimated single tax rate would be $11.21 per $1,000 of assessed value.
The board also approved a residential factor of one, meaning the tax rate will not be split to shift more tax burden to the commercial class. They also voted not to adopt a residential exemption or a small business exemption.