Phillipston business owner plans to open marijuana dispensary: What Monil Patel plans

Cannabis consumers in Phillipston can prepare for the first recreational marijuana dispensary to open before April 2025.

Monil Patel, owner of Phillipston Liquor and Variety at 325 State Road, saw an opportunity to expand into the recreational marijuana retail business and began his work last fall. Patel said he projects the dispensary to be open before April 20 in celebration of the cannabis plant and culture.

Patel said they are waiting for the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission to issue a provisional license for the new dispensary so construction can begin on the barn. Before Patel became the owner of the property on 325 State Road in 2014, it was a country store and ice cream shop called Woodside Country Store.

The ice cream barn next to the liquor store has been empty for over a decade. Patel said he thought it was time to put it to use. The renovations to the barn are estimated to cost from $300,000 to $500,000.

The new dispensary will be named in honor of the old country store, Woodside Cannabis. Patel said the name is historical, and sometimes hears consumers refer to his store by it. He said he has a couple of friends already in the retail marijuana business, so they have guided him through the process .

"I think the name has some history, so to continue the history, it will be named after the country store," he said. "I have some friends in the cannabis business, so I have learned a lot through them about what I need to do."

Melanie Jackson, Phillipston administrative assistant, said the town officials are excited to have their first dispensary in the community. She said the town has agreed to implement a 3% Host Community Agreement tax on all adult recreational marijuana sales.

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Phillipston business owner plans to open marijuana dispensary: What Monil Patel plans