Mother Earth Wellness set to begin cannabis sales in Pawtucket

EMPLOYEES WITH MOTHER Earth Wellness in Pawtucket are getting ready to begin retail sales of cannabis products. Pictured from left are general manager John Leighton; assistant manager Tamami Kataoka; and compliance director Liam Bolger. PBN PHOTO/CHRIS ALLEN

PAWTUCKET – On Wednesday dozens of employees of what will be the state’s largest retail marijuana center were still putting the final touches inside the 30,000-square-foot space inside a refurbished mill building at 125 Esten Ave. behind the Hope Artiste Village. 

Joseph Pakuris, co-owner of Mother Earth Wellness, the commercial outgrowth of the medical cannabis cultivation operation Mother Earth Creations founded in 2017, said that staff will be working nonstop until the new facility’s grand opening Nov. 21. 

The launch will mark Pakuris and business partner Eddie Keegan’s first foray into retail sales, which will start with medical cannabis until adult-use recreational sales set to begin on Dec. 1. 

MEW will be the sole operator in Zone 6, one of the six geographic areas in Rhode Island carved out by state cannabis regulators. Back in April, after another company vying for the last slot was disqualified, MEW secured a license.  

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While firmly rooted in Pawtucket, Pakuris is looking well beyond the city for customers. “We hope to draw people from all areas,” he said.  

The company is a “vertically integrated operation,” said Pakuris, referring to their ability to grow, test, buy and sell cannabis products all under one roof. A self-described cannabis enthusiast, he is also president of Kitchen and Countertop Center of New England, which he opened with Keegan in 2012 and is connected to the new dispensary. Along with his wife, Gina, and Keegan, they have partnered with Theresa, Michael and Amanda Rodriguez, owners of Spain restaurant in Cranston. 

Pakuris said the group is striving to stand apart from the competition in the budding cannabis industry by creating a unique shopping experience, hoping to move beyond traditional medical cannabis distribution infrastructure that can seem more like a doctor’s office than an oasis for like-minded recreational users. 

Once inside the renovated facility, customers will be greeted by a 40-strain scent bar to help guide their purchases, a terpene sampling station, indoor waterfall and private consultation space. Edibles will be prepared on-site in a luxury kitchen. 

While they will be selling products from 60 Rhode Island-based cultivators currently in operation, Mother Earth will continue to grow its own. They have hired cultivation experts from as far away as Colorado, one of the first states to legalize cannabis for recreational use, to ensure high quality product.  

“These are highly qualified professionals,” he said. “These guys know what they’re doing.” 

Mother Earth is also the only licensed hydrocarbon extraction lab in the state, which allows them to create cannabis extracts such as the oils, topicals and capsules that are growing in popularity. The company will offer online ordering and curbside pickup, said Paturkis. 

Pakuris said his team’s experience in both construction and small business ownership, paired with hospitality expertise offered by the Rodriguez family, will combine for a unique destination. 

With years in medical cultivation under his belt, Pakuris said preparing for the customer-facing retail side has been a little more of a challenge. The company has invested heavily in a  24-hour security system, new website, and has already hired 66 employees. Though he declined to disclose the total amount of capital investment needed to launch Mother Earth Wellness, the one-time retail license fee is $500,000 in addition to the $125,000 hybrid license available to established compassion centers. 

“It’s a different beast,” he said. 

(Christopher Allen is a PBN staff writer. You may contact him at Allen@PBN.com)

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