Aspen Blue applies for special permit to start marijuana manufacturing

Aug 18, 2021

Aspen Blue, a cannabis company hoping to manufacture products in the old steel building at Tremont Nail, took part in a hearing on August 17 to request a special permit.

Mark Bobrowski, the hearing officer, had Aspen Blue’s attorney Jillian Morton walk through the requirements of a special permit: that the business would not disturb the neighborhood, pose a hazard to pedestrians, etc.

The impact of the operation would be minimal, Morton explained, with help from CEO Matt Wilkes.

The site would employ about nine full-time employees, and would be visited once or twice a day by a box truck dropping off or picking up product. Because the site would only manufacture product, no sales would take place on site.

The company plans to use advanced odor mitigation control technology, and has developed an elaborate security plan that goes above and beyond the measures required by the state’s Cannabis Control Commission.

No members of the public commented on the application.

Aspen Blue has signed both a host community agreement and a lease with the town, which owns the Tremont Nail facility. The company still needs to complete the Cannabis Control Commission licensing process before it can begin operations — likely in early 2022.

In addition to the 3 percent of revenues that will be paid to the town as required by the host community agreement, the company will donate $25,000 each year to a local charitable cause or organization.

The steel building will be used for processing cannabis, whether to be sold as flower, extract, or in another form. No retail sales or cannabis cultivation will be conducted on-site.

The site is one of seven proposed Aspen Blue facilities. Adult-use stores are planned for Attleboro, Charlton and Wellfleet. Cultivation and manufacturing facilities are planned for Attleboro, Mashpee Wareham, and Charlton. 

Bobrowski said that while he would issue a final decision in about ten business days, Aspen Blue seemed to satisfy the requirements for a special permit.