Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 12/19/2022
WARE – The Ware Planning Board unanimously approved the site plan and special permit request for a marijuana delivery service at 124C West St.
On Dec. 15, the Planning Board hosted a public hearing to discuss Pineapple Express LLC. Chairman Richard Starodoj explained that the applicant is requesting a special permit to operate within the existing structure on West Street.
Pineapple Express owner Kaily Hepburn went before the Planning Board to provide an overview of her business and plans for operation. Based on her request, she said the license type allows the company to “offer wholesale cannabis products for manufacturers or cultivators.” From the proposed location, she said Pineapple Express will take online or phone orders and deliver the products to consumers.
Based on a traffic study conducted in 2016, Hepburn predicts about 18 daily trips to and from the location.
According to the lease, Hepburn said employees can park in the back lot and enter from there. Because there are no customers, the vehicles would only be those of employees, along with the delivery vans. She noted that they plan to start with two vans and increase that to four in about one year.
Hepburn went on to say that Pineapple Express would have about six employees in total. She added that the back of the building will primarily be used for loading and unloading deliveries.
When asked about how the online orders will work, Hepburn informed the board that the vans will come in and deliver wholesale products to consumers. All products will be stored inside a vault within the store.
To conduct an online order, she explained that the account must be set up with a driver’s license. When the products are delivered, the driver will check the license again along with obtaining a signature. To ensure everyone’s safety during a delivery, there will always be two drivers in the vans wearing body cameras. Hepburn noted that this is a Cannabis Control Commission regulation.
Based on other retail stores that have been in the West Street plaza before, Planning Board members said they are not too concerned with deliveries and traffic because there will not be any customers.
Starodoj said a condition could be made that if traffic becomes a problem, the board might have to revisit the issue with the property owner.
Pineapple Express’ set hours of operation are Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Hepburn noted that the Ware Selectboard approved the company’s operation and that she has a host community agreement with the town.