Taunton Gazette: Mozzone Boulevard facility first in Taunton to get retail marijuana license
“The sale of recreational, retail marijuana in the city is one step closer to becoming something real.
“I think it was historic,” said Glenn McElfresh, referring to the 9-to-1 vote taken by the City Council on Tuesday night to approve a license to operate a retail-pot business on Mozzone Boulevard.
McElfresh, who describes himself as compliance officer for Commonwealth Alternative Care, was one of a handful of representatives of the company who sat down with the council’s police and license committee.
The full council later in the evening voted to approve the first-of-its-kind license request…
Meet CAC Taunton's Cultivation Techncian Kait!
Name: Kait
Hometown: Bridgewater, MA
Years in Cannabis: 10 months
Role at CAC: Cultivation Technician
Nickname: Kellis
What is your cannabis origin story?
I have been a cannabis advocate for around 10 years now. About a year ago I decided to change the career path that I was on and jump into the cannabis industry to help people in a new way.
What did you do before this and how did it prepare you for your role today?
Before working at Commonwealth Alternative Care I was heavily involved in the special needs community. I worked as a Developmental Specialist helping the adult special needs population, heavily leaning towards adults with autism. This prepared me for my role today because I learned to be able to adapt to a constantly changing environment. I also was able to see first hand the benefits medicinal cannabis can have on people with epilepsy as well as anxiety in people with autism. It is truly an amazing plant.
What is your strain of choice?
Mimosa! Or anything with citrus notes.
What is your favorite edible?
Chroma Peppermints!!! America runs on Dunkin’ and I run on CHROMA. They're the bomb.
Favorite delivery method? e.g. smoke, dab, vape, eat, topical.
I love smoking flower, specifically blunts. I definitely do love a good edible though!
What is the most interesting thing you’ve learned about cannabis recently?
How do you ensure first time visitors are comfortable with their first dispensary experience?
Being a part of the cultivation team, I ensure our visitors are comfortable by always striving to grow the cleanest, best product.
What do you do for fun?
I am a HUGE gamer. I love video games. I also love to spend time in my garden (cannabis and vegetable) and I love spending as much time with my nephews as possible.
Do you have any hobbies or collections?
I have a huge crystal/rock collection, I have ever since I was a little kid. I also collect houseplants.
Where do you go to learn more about cannabis?
I go to my coworkers! They are all super knowledgeable and definitely know a lot of the answers. I also absolutely love reading books about cannabis.
What is the coolest new cannabis-related gadget you’ve seen recently?
A nectar collector! They are super cool and convenient. Great if you need to take your rig with you!
What’s your favorite CAC product right now?
NF1 ANYTHING!! Can’t get enough of it.
What do you like most about working at CAC?
My co-workers. They are some of the funniest, most interesting, knowledgeable people I’ve ever known.
Meet CAC Taunton's Lead Lab Technician, Jordani
Name: Jordani
Hometown: Bridgewater, MA
Years in Cannabis: 15 years but 1 year professionally
Nickname: Jay/JJ The Jet plane
Interesting fact:
I can devour a large steak & cheese sub, half a pizza & wash that down with a large order of gold fever chicken tenders with Parmesan peppercorn dressing in under 10 minutes flat.
What did you do before this and how did it prepare you for your role today?
I was cooking at Bridgewater State University. Things were constantly changing there in terms of nutrition for dietary need students and that prepared me for the ever changing processes we do here in the lab. Dealing with unruly college kids prepared me by increasing the amount of patience I currently have.
What is the most interesting thing you’ve learned about cannabis recently?
Recreational dispensaries In Colorado outnumber Starbucks 3 to 1 while Starbucks outnumber Dunks 5 to 1 & as of last year, Colorado had 481 Starbucks locations.
When outsiders visit the lab for a tour, what are the things that stand out to them?
My lab directors huge THCA crystal, the different tier line of products we produce, our ability to adapt to the changing industry & some people are just baffled learning about the machinery we operate.
Where do you go to learn more about cannabis?
This might sound a bit redundant but I go to work where I can pick the brains of some incredibly intelligent people. However, Google, YouTube & GrassCity won’t hurt if you’re looking to expand your current level of cannabis related knowledge.
What is the coolest new cannabis-related gadget you’ve seen recently?
Cannabis cologne but it’s been on back-order for months
What’s your favorite Commonwealth Alternative Care product right now?
The whole line of Slate products & not because I formulate it but because it actually works. My parents are anti-cannabis yet don’t seem to mind it as much considering the fact that their pains are noticeably decreased when using the lotion.
What do you like most about working at Commonwealth Alternative Care?
The fact that we’re actually doing a job that can help people with body aches, anxiety or other situations the patient may have as opposed to just getting “elevated.”
In your opinion, what is the most exciting development in cannabis research in the past year?
That cancer patients report symptom relief by using cannabis & that being mentally elevated will intensify your orgasm .
What’s the best extraction method?
That’s impossible to answer since it all boils down to preference. What you’re looking for and your reasoning isn’t going to be the same for the people next to you nor myself. For instance, some people only use cold press oil because it never touches any solvents unlike RSO/BHO.
How will different extraction methods impact quality?
That’s a tough question to answer. That’s like asking Jeff Gordon how do different vehicles impact the way he can manipulate said vehicle. First & foremost, when it comes to quality, the quality of the product prior to extraction is what really matters. You can’t go to McDonald’s & expect it to taste like it was made from Gordon Ramsey or Wolfgang Puck.
Since you’ve been in the industry, what consumer trends have you seen in the demand for cannabis concentrates?
People love the CO2/vape oil because it’s discreet and some people aren’t as bold as I am in terms of smelling like I rolled out of bed with a pound of Headband. You can’t always spark one up depending on where you’re at but you can always take a few pulls from your pen.
Is there any part of the extraction process that is dangerous? What kinds of steps are taken to ensure safety in the lab?
Yes, most of the solvents used are extremely flammable/combustible. We constantly double check our equipment prior to our runs & we remain extremely vigilant. We’re constantly adapting and changing processes to ensure maximum safety without sacrificing yields or quality.
What steps do we take to ensure consistency and efficiency of our products?
We hone in on our SOP’s to ensure we are operating on a consistent as opposed to a complacent manner. We’re always update our processes and tend to experiment with different methods for extracting, harvesting & even tweak the most minute of details such as extracting flower as is versus being ground up.
What is your strain of choice?
I’m married to Sour Diesel & I love her like a fat kid loves cake but I don’t treat her how she should be treated. I have a mistress or two but don’t judge me. Kush, Haze & Cookies understand me in a different manner but don't tell wifey that.
What is your favorite edible?
300mg Wonka bars are where it’s at.
Favorite delivery method?
Fronto stuffed with GAS & if i’m feeling frisky, it’s a Packwood which is 2g stuffed in a backwood which is then rolled in wax/oil and covered in kief.
Meet CAC's Edibles Kitchen Supervisor
Name: Jennifer
Hometown: Westport, MA
Years in Cannabis: 7 months
What did you do before this and how did it prepare you for your role today?
I worked my way through college as a cake decorator which taught me how to be precise and creative. Previously, as a cake decorator I enjoyed making people happy with my creations. I'm thrilled that I'm still able to do that now with my work in the CAC kitchen.
Why did you decide to become a chef? What other back-of-the-house positions have you previously held?
I’ve always enjoyed baking and knew that I wanted to do something with my life that I loved, made me happy and enabled me to make others happy as well.
Where and how were you trained? Did you go to culinary school? What credentials did you earn through your culinary studies?
I received my degree in Food Service Entrepreneurship as well as Baking & Pastry Arts from Johnson & Wales University. Many of my studies were hands on labs such as french pastry, specialty cakes, chocolate & confections, specialty cakes and many more. I also took many business, leadership, and management classes which have helped me tremendously with being the kitchen lead. I am able to lead my staff so we can all work together efficiently and effectively as a team.
Is there a chef you admire the most? Who and why?
Out of all of the chefs I have worked with, Chef David Topian that I work with now here at Commonwealth, is one of the most well-rounded experienced chefs that I’ve met and had the pleasure of working with. I’m honored to be able to learn from him everyday.
What is your favorite cuisine to eat? What is your favorite cuisine to cook?
My favorite dessert to eat is creme brulee. My favorite desserts to make are cheesecakes and eclairs
What trends are you seeing in the marijuana infused products (MIPS) industry?
High dosed tasty edibles. Healthy alternatives, fair trade, organic and vegan products. Becoming more popular for individuals who don’t like to smoke. Wide variety of edibles, more options. Chocolate covered blueberries and espresso beans and fruit chews and even 2 oz drinks.
Have you ever cooked with cannabis at home?
I have made a few products in my own home like brownies, cupcakes, and rice krispies
What is your favorite edible produced by Commonwealth Alternative Care?
My favorite edible that we make is our new peanut butter cups. They are made with direct trade chocolate and are completely vegan
Favorite delivery method? e.g. smoke, dab, vape, eat, topical
I enjoy smoking flour and dabbing our concentrates. Our concentrates here at Commonwealth, in my opinion, are some of the best around.
What is the most interesting thing you’ve learned about cannabis recently?
There are so many different ways to use cannabis and depending on which method you choose is going to differ its effect. I’ve also been learning more about the different strains and the different effects they have on you as well.
Where do you go to learn more about cannabis? (please be specific)
Co-workers and Leafly
What is the coolest new cannabis-related gadget you’ve seen recently?
New cannabis related gadgets that i enjoy using are my dab pen, a puffco, and a pax 3
What do you like most about working at Commonwealth Alternative Care?
I love coming to work everyday because I enjoy making products that will help people. All my coworkers are very happy to be at work and it’s a great environment to be in. I have lots of room to grow with this company and I am very excited to see what my future holds here.
Taunton Daily Gazette: Marijuana retail shops in Taunton would span the city
TAUNTON – When it comes to host community agreements for retail-marijuana shops, the current picture in Taunton is literally all over the map.
Nine entities so far have been granted the first-step agreements by the City Council to open retail pot shops — with locations ranging from East Taunton’s Liberty and Union Industrial Park to the westerly 400 block of Winthrop Street and points in between.
Only one of them, Commonwealth Alternative Care, has so far been granted a special permit to grow and sell recreational marijuana.
Commonwealth Alternative Care already has a foothold in the city.
That group for nearly a year has been growing and selling medical marijuana and cannabis products on industrial-zoned Mozzone Boulevard off of Route 140/County Street.
And since opening, Commonwealth Alternative Care has expanded its medical pot cultivation, or growing, capacity.
It also this year got City Council approval to grow recreational marijuana inside a separate, adjacent building….
