Fall River company tentatively granted OK to sell recreational marijuana in Wareham

Nov 6, 2018

On Tuesday, Selectmen “approved in concept” a recreational marijuana license for a company looking to open in a small strip mall in East Wareham.

Board members said the company, Xiphias Wellness, a registered medical marijuana business operating in Fall River, was welcome in town. However, some details of the license agreement still had to be examined.

“We want you to know that we’re in favor of your project,” Selectman Patrick Tropeano told Xiphias Wellness CEO David Brayton, III. “We want you to go forward, but we want you to work this out.”

Currently, the agreement calls for giving the town a $50,000 donation once the agreement is finalized and pay Wareham 3 percent of the businesses gross revenues. The company plans to open in Jordan Plaza, located at 3119 Cranberry Highway. Selectmen have already approved the location for recreational marijuana sales.

Town Administrator Derek Sullivan said he expects the agreement to be finalized by next week.

Sales of medical marijuana have been allowed in Massachusetts since 2012. In November 2016, a state ballot question passed that paved the way for recreational sales. The state’s Cannabis Control Commission is still ironing out a framework for regulations concerning retail marijuana shops. So far, three businesses have been granted licenses from the state to sell marijuana, including Verilife, located at 112 Main St. However, recreational sales have not yet begun due to delays from the state.