August 2018

CULT¬VATION BUS¬NESS STRATEG¬ES G arden Remedies runs its medi- cal marijuana dispensary in New England with a simple ethos: “Compassionate relief. Rooted in medicine.” The Newton, Massachu- setts-based company plans to double down on its health and wellness approach — expanding its medical marijuana operations and educating customers about clean cannabis — now that the state has become the first on the East Coast to roll out a recreational marijuana market. Dr. Karen Munkacy used her experi- ence as a licensed physician to turn EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Dr. Karen Munkacy started Garden Remedies in 2013 to help patients suffering from nausea, pain and other medical conditions. Her vertically integrated medical marijuana business in Newton, Massachusetts, now serves more than 1,000 customers weekly and features flower, vape cartridges, baked goods and other products made from Garden Remedies’ grow and manufacturing facility in Fitchburg. The company plans to enter the state’s new adult-use market by: • Using its “priority” applicant status in Massachusetts to get approval from the state’s Cannabis Control Commission to start rec sales later this year. • Pivoting from a medical-only cannabis brand to one focused on health and wellness, targeting customers who want cannabis grown free of pesticides and chemicals. • Opening a second medical dispensary in Massachusetts with the possibility of one day offering recreational sales through a hybrid medical-recreational model. • Avoiding supply constraints by expanding grow capabilities, meeting the demand of both medical and recreational customers. Garden Remedies into a vertically integrated, recognized brand in Mas- sachusetts after the state started medical cannabis sales in 2015. Now, Munkacy and her team want to join the recreational market and are getting ready by expanding growing capabilities and opening a second medical dispensary in Melrose, about 10 miles north of Boston. Garden Remedies grows, pro- cesses and manufactures cannabis products at its center in Fitchburg, near the New Hampshire state line. Contractors then deliver the products Getting Ready for Rec Physician-owned dispensary leverages experience, health and wellness approach to enter Massachusetts’ adult-use market By Adrian D. Garcia The Garden Remedies dispensary in Newton is where Massachusetts' medical marijuana sales began in 2016. Photo courtesy of Garden Remedies 94 • Marijuana Business Magazine • August 2018