Photo: Chaiel Schaffel/WBZ NewsRadio
HAVERHILL, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — A cannabis dispensary in Haverhill has major renovations in the works as the city and state develop new social consumption regulations.
Caroline Pineau, the owner of Stem in downtown Haverhill, detailed the plans. The dispensary plans to renovate the empty top two floors of their building, which was built in the Gilded Age.
“This building dates back to 1876 and was one of the only buildings in downtown Haverhill to survive the fire at the turn of the century,” Pineu said, referring to the devastating fire of 1882 that razed most of the city’s downtown. “The city of Haverhill really wants to see these old buildings redeveloped as well, there’s so much rich history, and it’s a shame that they’re not accessible to the general public,” she continued.
Stem plans to turn these floors into a cannabis ‘destination and education center’ that will feature a place for social cannabis use, but also could host cannabis-focused classes, art exhibits, and retreats, to name a few.
Read More: The Wenham Tea House Keeps Century-Old Traditions Alive Under New Operators
Pineau felt that a center like this could soften the stigma that cannabis has socially.
“I think breaking down the stigma of cannabis will be easier under those circumstances,” she said.
The Cannabis Control Commission, the state-level agency that regulates the cannabis industry, has been trying to formalize the rules for so-called ‘cannabis cafes’ for years and could have a final version in place soon.
The renovations, according to Pineau, will cost around a million dollars, but Stem is receiving part of the funds from a state government grant. Construction is set to start in the next few weeks and will be ready to be unveiled early next year.
WBZ NewsRadio’s Chaiel Schaffel (@CSchaffelWBZ) reports.