Council grants special permit for recreational marijuana retail at 15 Main Street, 11–1

The Holyoke City Council voted 11–1 on Sept. 2 to grant a special permit for a recreational marijuana retail establishment at 15 Main Street to Sexton MA LLC, carrying over conditions that had applied to the previous owner.

The order had been recommended for approval by the Committee on Ordinance, which listed as endorsing councilors Israel Rivera, Bacon, McGrath Smith, Bartley and Jenny Rivera. Committee members reported the applicant had been vetted, outstanding fire-department issues had been addressed, and the committee recommended adopting conditions used for the prior licensee.

As presented in committee and to the full council, the applicant is effectively purchasing an existing license and was required to meet outstanding safety and notification conditions before operating. Interim meeting discussion said the special permit fee paperwork and vetting had been completed and that the committee expedited consideration so the applicant could meet state licensing deadlines.

Clerk roll-call voting recorded 11 ayes and one nay. The council president declared the special permit approved; members said the vote preserves committee conditions and sets the permit for the new owner under existing municipal terms.

The council did not read additional conditions into the record at the time of the vote; staff said the permit will be subject to the same conditions that applied to the prior owner and any applicable state Cannabis Control Commission requirements.