The Bourne Planning Board has unanimously approved the plans for Chief Cannabis to open a dispensary in the former Friendly’s building at the base of Sagamore Bridge. This decision was made during a meeting held on March 13, moving the owners closer to realizing their business plans.
The proposal for Chief Cannabis was initially presented to the board on February 27. At that time, the board expressed general support but requested more detailed information, leading to a continuation of the hearing.
Chief Cannabis was awarded a host community agreement (HCA) from the town in December 2024. The co-owners, Edward Dow and Michael Allen, bring significant experience in the cannabis retail sector. Dow is the founder and CEO of Solar Therapeutics, a company that supplies marijuana products to various retailers across Massachusetts. Meanwhile, Allen is the current CEO of Yellow House Cannabis LLC and a retired police chief from Rochester, New Hampshire, which inspired the name of the dispensary.
The dispensary plans to offer a variety of marijuana and marijuana-related products, including edibles, tinctures, and vape cartridges, as explained by Dow during his presentation to the board of health on February 26. He emphasized the importance of safety within the cannabis industry, stating that all packages will carry safety labels in compliance with Cannabis Control Commission regulations. Furthermore, dispensary staff, known as “budtenders,” will be trained to provide safety instructions to customers.
Customers will be limited to purchasing one ounce of cannabis per day and are not allowed to consume products on-site. Although there will not be police details present, the dispensary will have advanced security cameras that law enforcement can access remotely. Additionally, two security officers will be on duty during operating hours, and panic buttons will be installed throughout the dispensary for added safety.
At the latest meeting, Zachary Basinski from Bracken Engineering detailed the updated site plans, which include the installation of three additional exterior lighting units on the building. This enhancement aims to improve safety and visibility around the dispensary.
