Additional Steps in Supporting Advesa's Application at Licesning July 19th

Our team is beyond appreciative to everyone for the support thus far with our petitions! There are three very important next steps in which you can help support us. We need your assistance via distributing our petition to other like-minded individuals, writing emails to the Somerville Licensing Commission, and speaking at the Somerville Licensing Commission Hearing on July 19.

1. Please send an email to the Somerville Licensing Commission supporting Advesa’s application for a marijuana retail license in Ball Square. Please send all emails to ljbatzek@somervillema.gov or licensing@somerville.gov. Your letters of support must arrive no later than 12 Noon on July 19, 2021, in order to be sure they are conveyed to the Commission.

2. In addition, (and most importantly!) if you are able, please sign up to provide public comment at the Virtual Somerville Licensing Commission Hearing on July 19, 2021, at 6:00 pm.  The following link will show you how to participate in the virtual meeting:  https://www.somervillema.gov/sites/default/files/virtual-meeting-faq.pdf

If you wish to help with writing a letter or email of support, please see the below facts. 

Over 75% of residents in Somerville voted to allow marijuana retail stores in 2016 and yet in 2021 there are still no marijuana retail stores open for adult marijuana consumers.

ADVESA D/B/A/ BLUE RIVER FAQ’S

• Advesa is a women-owned, minority-owned, black/brown-owned, multicultural-owned business. Less that 4% of Cannabis Dispensaries are Women-Owned, and an even less percentage are Black-Owned. It is important that we change that narrative together!
• Advesa has been working on licensing this location since 2018, and has taken out a loan to make our dreams come to reality. If we were to not proceed with licensing, it would be disastrous for the Economic Empowerment program.

OWNERSHIP:

•  Advesa MA’s application clearly demonstrates a commitment to social justice and social equity in ways that match well with Somerville’s values and commitment to diversity.
• Advesa MA, Inc 's team has been certified as Economic Empowerment Priority Applicants (EE202234, EE202340) by the Cannabis Control Commission for having demonstrated experience in, or business practices that promote economic empowerment in communities harmed by cannabis prohibition. 
• ADVESA MA is a small business, as well as a women-owned and led, multi- cultural enterprise. The Cannabis Control Commission mandates diverse hiring requirements for Economic Empowerment Priority Applicants like Advesa MA that are required in regulations.
• The Advesa Team lives in and around Boston. 
• We are a family-owned and small business.
   

OPERATIONS:

•  We have made a commitment to be good neighbors, and be responsive to neighborhood residential and business concerns.
• We have a well-thought out security and operational plan, with experienced operators.
• Our store size is the 5th smallest of proposed dispensaries in Somerville, and it’s size and design is created to mitigate queuing and security concerns brought forth by the community. 
• We are also forming a Community Task force and hiring a local community liaison to help foster positive neighborhood interactions.
• We will operate by appointment-only for a minimum of 6 months in conjunction with a pre-order system in place. 
• Customers who do not know about the virtual queue system will have available a QR code which will enter them into the queue and let them know when to return to the store. 
   

DIRECT BENEFITS TO SOMERVILLE BUSINESSES

• We plan on providing free advertising for local restaurants and businesses on our TV's at every POS. 
• Blue River is also open to aiding in other initiatives that meet Somerville and Ball Square’s immediate needs. If you have any thoughts, we would love to hear them! 
• Our Ball Square location will bring in additional and new customers into other Shops and Restaurants within the Somerville community. 
• We will incentivize our customers to visit the other Ball Square businesses while they are waiting for their allotted time slot within the dispensary. 
   

EMAIL IDEAS:  

We recommend including your name, location, and a detailed reason as to why you support this business. If you are local to Massachusetts or Somerville, speaking to any ties you may have to the Somerville community goes a long way! 

“Good Afternoon, My name is _________________ and I live at and/or operate a business at __________________. I am writing to you to voice my support for Advesa MA D/B/A Blue River at 690-694 Broadway. I am supporting Advesa because: (feel free to draft something that is distinct to why you feel we are a good fit,) you can use some of the FAQ’s listed above, or here are a few additional ideas:

• I feel as if they are the right fit for the community due to their commitment to social justice efforts and Economic Empowerment Hiring model.
• I feel as if they are the right fit for the community because of their experienced leadership team comprised of women and black business owners.
• I support Advesa because they are a small business, and have demonstrated through their open houses and online meetings that they are willing to work with and engage directly with the community.
• I support Advesa’s application because they will bring positive business into Ball Square that will enhance the urban fabric and culture.