Coastal Cultivars eyes Wareham for new marijuana cultivation, processing facility

Dec 19, 2018

Yet another business is looking to Wareham as a base for marijuana operations. On Wednesday, representatives from Boston-based Coastal Cultivars announced plans to open a cultivation facility on Patterson Brook Road, located in one of the town’s industrial parks.

Representatives introduced themselves and reviewed the company’s plans at an informational meeting held in Town Hall. Company co-owner Jarrad Glennon said the business would grow and process marijuana for medical and recreational use. There are no plans to sell marijuana retail.

“It’s not a store, there won’t be people coming in and out,” said Glennon. “It would be a highly technical and regulated cultivation facility.”

Coastal Cultivars, which operates a medical-marijuana dispensary in Hull, is one of many marijuana-related businesses interested in Wareham. Another business, a medical-marijuana dispensary at 112 Main St., will start selling to the public on Friday. The town has also entered into an agreement with a processing facility, slated to start renovating a building at the Tremont Nail Factory district next year.

Coastal Cultivars would operate at 0 Patterson Brook Road. The land is currently undeveloped. Plans call for constructing a 40,000-square foot processing plant that would employ 20 people in the first year of operation with up to 50 employees expected in the future.

Ben Smith, another company co-owner, said they are focused on being a “green” business. They’re looking to use as much sunlight and rainwater as possible, which would cut down on costs.

“Our business model is to make sure our operating expenses are as efficient as possible,” said Smith. “Because the [marijuana] prices will go down like anything else. It’s a commodity at the end of the day.”

Glennon reiterated the point

“Our intention, from a facility management standpoint, is to be a contributor to tackling the energy issues we all face,” said Glennon. “That’s why we’re excited about coming here. The layout is set up well to build a self-sustaining cultivation operation.”

Currently, Coastal Cultivars is negotiating a “host community agreement” with Wareham officials. The agreement, if approved, would grant Coastal Cultivars a license to operate while bringing in revenue for the town. Smith said the agreement is still being negotiated, but he expected the town would receive more than $100,000 annually from Coastal Cultivars.

Glennon stressed that the business is prepared to meet all state and local requirements, including robust security measures.

Regarding traffic concerns, he said the business will likely use vans for deliveries and added that traffic should be light. 

“There’s not going to be 18-wheelers coming down Patterson Brook Road for us,” he said.

He said the area is zoned for the business. However, a special permit must be approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals. That board will review the permit at a public hearing scheduled for Jan. 11.

The co-owners said they’re hopeful to break ground next year, but noted that there are a lot of approvals left to secure.

“We’ve got a few hurdles in front of us,” said Smith.