Public meeting for Swansea pot dispensary draws little interest

SWANSEA – If there is any serious opposition to the proposed construction of a recreational marijuana dispensary on Sears Road, it didn’t make its presence known at Monday’s public forum.

Plantopia, one of three companies trying to open a dispensary in Swansea, held a public meeting at Venus de Milo at noon Monday. Such meetings are a mandated part of the state’s marijuana licensing process.

“I think our goal is just to become as good a corporate citizen within the community as we can,” said Terry Fracassa, an attorney representing Plantopia. “It starts with meetings like this to hear people’s concerns.”

Fracassa’s presentation to the audience, which was comprised of only four Swansea residents, largely focused on security of the planned Sears Road facility and the financial contributions and taxes Plantopia is willing to pay Swansea.

Town resident Paul Laflamme asked Fracassa what charity Plantopia would be willing to support with the $25,000 it promised to annually donate, as outlined in the most recent draft of the company’s host community agreement.

In response, Fracassa suggested the new dispensary could donate to causes its Rhode Island facility has already provided money to, like programs dedicated to breast cancer, opioid addiction, or post-traumatic stress disorder in military veterans. Fracassa added that Plantopia is still determining what charitable cause it may donate to.

“For the first couple months of us being open, the biggest part is finding out who our neighbors are,” he said.

Laflamme, who said he attended to learn more about how the dispensary might benefit the town, said he was happy with the response he received.

“It was encouraging,” he said. “And it’s good to see there are 400 different products they carry to help people out. That was something I didn’t know.”