Updated

Doobie to lease town’s building at 4 Recovery Rd.

Sep 17, 2021

The Wareham Redevelopment Authority voted on Sept. 16 to lease the building at 4 Recovery Rd. to Ericca and Justin Kennedy of Doobie, a marijuana delivery company.

The company has already signed a Host Community Agreement with the town, and is working to obtain licensure from the state’s Cannabis Control Commission.

During a Sept. 21 meeting, the Select Board approved amending the agreement to reflect the new address. At that meeting, Town Planner Ken Buckland said the Kennedys plan to use the Recovery Road building for their delivery operations. Another site located at 10 Little Brook Rd. would be used for cultivation and manufacturing, he said.

Doobie will deliver directly to customers, and no retail sales will take place at 4 Recovery Rd. Doobie would also be licensed for cultivation, which they plan to do outside, and manufacturing. The manufacturing license would be used, at least at first, to hand roll marijuana into joints. Doobie will not have a retail location.

The town has been searching for a tenant for the building for some time. Most recently, a marijuana testing company backed out of a lease for the property — the second marijuana testing company to do so. The building was previously home to the Christopher Donovan Day School for seven years before the Day School moved to its current home in the Ethel E. Hammond School in Onset.

Ericca Kennedy said at a June 17 community outreach meeting that Doobie plans to bring job opportunities to Wareham, while also paying a three percent community impact fee and three percent sales tax to the town.

The company’s founders are focused on giving back. One percent of the business’ profits will go to the Doobie Fund, a restorative justice fund that will distribute microgrants to help those with nonviolent cannabis convictions with the costs of food, housing, and transportation. The company also hopes to hire a Wareham artist to paint a mural depicting the positive impact cannabis has on society.

State laws mandate a number of safety measures that marijuana delivery businesses must follow. Vehicles must be unmarked, and cannot transport more than $10,000 worth of product at a time. Drivers must work in pairs and wear active body cameras when making deliveries.

Doobie will accept debit card and cash payments, but not credit card payments. Customers must show ID when drivers arrive. Only those 21 years old and older will be able to use the service.

Kennedy said Doobie will be looking to hire 10-15 delivery drivers and expediters, with each employee starting at a minimum pay of $18 per hour after tips are considered. Performance, seasonal and wellness bonuses will be offered along with six weeks of paid time off each year (for maternity/paternity leave, bereavement leave, vacation time, etc.).

An extensive security system and air filtration system will be installed.

This story has been updated to include developments from the Sept. 21 Select Board meeting.