Ideal Craft Cannabis Proposes Light Manufacturing Expansion in Blackstone
New Business Growth on the Horizon?
At the June 3 Board of Selectmen meeting, Ideal Craft Cannabis Blackstone asked the town to support a new proposal that would allow them to expand operations at their Blackstone location—not by growing more cannabis, but by adding light manufacturing to the business.
The idea? Use 200–300 square feet of existing space to infuse and assemble cannabis products—such as pre-rolls, vape cartridges, and edibles—for sale at their retail store and wholesale across Massachusetts. The owners emphasized this expansion would be small-scale, require only tabletop equipment, and bring 10–15 good jobs to the area.
“It’ll be like it’s not even there,” one owner said. “No customer traffic, just product coming in and going out.”
What Exactly Is “Manufacturing”?
Ideal explained that the process wouldn’t involve oil production or heavy machinery. Instead, it would be limited to infusing, packaging, and labeling cannabis products brought in from outside sources.
While the operation is officially classified as manufacturing, the Ideal team described it as relatively low-impact. “It’s really more like putting things together,” they explained. Board of Selectmen Chair Dan Keefe put it simply: “Sounds like assembly.”
There will be no on-site customer traffic, and odors are not expected to increase. The owners noted that they currently do not have odor complaints, and that many of the infused products they plan to work with, such as oils, don’t have the same strong smell as cultivation. No oil extraction will take place on site, and only tabletop fillers would be used.
They also said they’d be open to branding their products with “Made in Blackstone” — if that’s something the town wants — as a way to potentially boost local visibility and pride.
What About Wholesale—Does the Town Actually Benefit?
One concern raised in past cannabis discussions is whether wholesale cannabis sales generate any revenue for the town. Back in 2021, a resident argued that wholesale brings in zero dollars locally.
Here’s what’s important to know:
In Massachusetts, towns do not automatically receive tax revenue from wholesale transactions between cannabis businesses. Most cannabis-related taxes come from retail sales, where the town can collect up to a 3% local tax.
However, there is a path for towns to benefit from wholesale—if the Host Community Agreement (HCA) is written to include specific provisions. Ideal Craft Cannabis says their wholesale activity will run through their licensed location in Blackstone, which could make a difference if it’s structured properly.
In short: the benefit to Blackstone depends on the final agreement. If the wholesale sales are documented and taxed through the Blackstone location, and the HCA accounts for that, the town can see a financial return.
📎 Read more about cannabis taxes and municipal agreements in Massachusetts
A Very Different Conversation from 2021
The June 3 discussion around Ideal Craft Cannabis Blackstone was calm and productive—a notable shift from previous cannabis-related meetings in town.
Back in June 2021, a well-attended and emotionally charged Board of Selectmen meeting focused on Green Choice Dispensary, a competitor of Ideal (whose location was formerly Buds n Roses), who wanted to get into Cultivation. A month earlier, in May 2021, Green Choice had appeared before the Board to discuss their interest in cultivation. No concerns were raised at that time, but by June, residents voiced major objections, especially around:
- Odor from cultivation facilities
- Traffic congestion and parking concerns
- Wholesale sales not benefiting the town
- Lack of clarity around host community agreements
That Board of Selectmen meeting in June 2021— and a follow-up Planning Board meeting in December 2021 —were both marked by disagreement and tension between officials and applicants, especially regarding timelines and process. By contrast, Ideal’s proposal is focused on small-scale, non-cultivation manufacturing, with minimal disruption and a clearly defined process.
At the recent June 3 meeting, the only concern raised was again about odor—and Ideal addressed it directly. The Board of Selectmen also noted that there have been no issues with Ideal’s operations to date, aside from the occasional false alarm.
The calm tone of this meeting stood in contrast to past cannabis discussions, perhaps reflecting a more collaborative relationship between the business and the town this time around. While each proposal is different, the consistency of the town’s approach will remain important as new opportunities arise.
What’s Next?
The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously to authorize the Town Administrator to begin working with Ideal Craft Cannabis and town legal counsel to determine whether the Host Community Agreement needs to be revised to support the proposed light manufacturing expansion.
The plan is still in its early stages, but if approved, it could bring new jobs, more tax revenue, and increased economic activity to Blackstone—without changing the daily experience for nearby residents.
Ideal Craft Cannabis discussion starts 16:01
Stay Informed—and Get Involved
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These conversations are happening now—not after decisions are made. If you want to help shape the future of your town, contact local officials, ask questions, and share your thoughts. Community input matters, and your voice can make a difference.
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