AMHERST — The town’s financial cut of future medical marijuana sales within its borders will be roughly $300,000 a year once one or more dispensaries open. Four companies want to open in Amherst.
“When fully mature, fully operating, one would expect that is roughly the amount this would generate,” said Peter Hechenbleikner, Amherst’s interim town manager, who announced to the Select Board Monday the first registered marijuana dispensary host agreement.
Hechenbleikner said the agreement calls for the town to collect 3 percent of the $10 million in annual sales projected in Amherst.
“The intent is to be able to provide financial support to the community for hosting one or more of these facilities,” Hechenbleikner said.
These agreements are also required as part of the Zoning Board of Appeals approval process.
Edward Lauth, CEO of Happy Valley Ventures MA Inc. of Newton, signed the first agreement July 27. His company is looking to redevelop the 422 Amity St. building where Rafters Sports Bar & Restaurant is located.
As part of the arrangement, each company would have to provide $15,000 a year to a local charity, provide employment to local residents and renegotiate the agreement if recreational marijuana is approved by voters in November.
Hechenbleikner said the money for the town could be used for any lawful purpose, but may be targeted to law enforcement or substance abuse programs.
The agreement calls for providing Amherst $75,000 during the pre-opening phase, then the 3 percent of revenues minus this initial payment.
Hechenbleikner said he met with all four potential providers last week and then sent out the agreements to sign.
He heard back from two that have not gone through the ZBA appeals process — Happy Valley Ventures and MassMedicum Corp. of Easton, which would locate in a new building under construction at 85 University Drive.
Mass Alternative Care, Inc., of Springfield, which is approved by the Zoning Board to locate at a vacant restaurant site at 55 University Drive, and GTI-Massachusetts NP Corp., of Chicago, Illinois, which received its special permit to locate at the former auction barn at 169 Meadow St., have yet to respond.
The companies can’t get a certificate of occupancy from Building Commissioner Robert Morra until a host agreement is signed, he said.
The companies also must get approvals through the state’s Department of Public Health.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
