Police committee grants change of ownership for Commonwealth Alternative Care retail site; city police and CCC checks required

The Committee on Police and License on April 8 voted to grant a petition for change of ownership for the marijuana retail business Commonwealth Alternative Care, located at 30 Maison Boulevard. The petitioner told the committee the transaction is structured as an asset sale and would transfer the retail inventory, cash, lease and common areas for the retail space to buyer In Good Health after state and city approvals.

Attorney Mark Higgins represented the buyer and described the transaction as an asset sale. "The transaction is structured as an asset sale so in good health will once we receive approval from the state and the city the inventory cash lease and common areas will transfer to the ownership of In Good Health," Higgins said. He added that employees at the retail location would remain employed by the new retail operator.

Roderick Tayeg, introduced as security operations manager for the buyer, said management and many staff would remain in place. The police department said the new ownership and management team have completed criminal background checks and CORI steps and that individuals must be fingerprinted and processed consistent with department practice. A detective told the committee the department had provided guidance on follow-up procedures; "they have to go through the process. They've already done their CORI checks, and they've already gone through the process with the CAC [Cannabis Control Commission]."

Council discussion focused on separation of retail operations from the remaining grow and processing facility on the same lot. Higgins said there is currently no free access between retail and the grow/processing space; a previously locked door "is being blocked up and will not be accessible." Electricity will remain common for now until separate billing can be arranged, and security systems will be segregated between the two entities.

The petitioner said state-level approval was pending and the buyer expects to appear before the Cannabis Control Commission on May 8. The committee moved, seconded and voted to grant the change of ownership; the committee recorded the motion as passed by voice vote.

The committee recorded no amendments to the petition and required the buyer and management to follow police department procedures for fingerprinting and any future management changes.