GILL — Leaf Joy, the town’s first cannabis dispensary, will open for business next week after nearly two years of preparation.

The retail-only cannabis store, which was first pitched to the Selectboard in September 2021, received its go-ahead to open from the state Cannabis Control Commission on July 17, according to attorney James McMahon, who represents Leaf Joy. Beginning Tuesday, Aug. 1, Leaf Joy will be open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., as well as on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

“It’s been some really rough times,” owner Greg Faiziev said. “There have been some ups and downs, but finally, we made it through.”

Occupying the former Green River Powersports building at 1 Main Road, Leaf Joy is poised to “really have something for anyone” from routine smokers to those who have never tried a cannabis product, McMahon said. Products sourced from the Pioneer Valley will be a priority, but the store will also include items from across Massachusetts.

“Whatever it is, we’ll definitely have it,” Faiziev said.

Making sure the shelves would be stocked was just a fraction of the work Faiziev, McMahon and the Leaf Joy team put in to bring the dispensary to fruition. Due to construction and utility delays, as well as an extensive permitting process that required approvals from the town, Police and Fire departments, and the state Cannabis Control Commission, Leaf Joy will be opening a year later than its originally intended summer 2022 opening goal.

“Thankfully, the town really helped us get through these problems and obstacles that we had,” Faiziev said.

“Everyone in Town Hall has been a huge supporter of the project,” McMahon added. “They’ve been really welcoming to us … and it’s just been an absolute pleasure to work with the town of Gill.”

Faiziev and McMahon voiced optimism that Leaf Joy would be welcomed by most of the community once operational. McMahon reasoned that while the dispensary would be Gill’s first, residents are no strangers to cannabis.

“Looking at [Department of Public Health] statistics, 20% of adults report using cannabis in the past month,” McMahon said. “I don’t want to say we’re bringing cannabis to Gill.”

Since first pitching Leaf Joy to the town, McMahon has emphasized a desire to put Gill residents first. Leaf Joy hopes to employ roughly 25 to 30 individuals. As of last week, an “all-local core team” of about 10 employees has been hired, McMahon said. He encourages those interested in working at the dispensary to search “Leaf Joy” on indeed.com and apply for listed positions.

Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-930-4231 or jmendoza@recorder.com.

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