Maverick medicals

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While medical marijuana and recreational cannabis dispensaries are generally thought of as a new industry, Northeast Alternatives in Fall River brings many years of experience steven froias to the business. Indeed, it was founded with a real purpose, which is why it is regarded as the most dedicated and is also the most awarded cannabis dispensary in Massachusetts.

Poignantly, Northeast Alternatives founder and now-CEO Chris Harkins lost his mother to cancer at the age of 19. Devastated by the loss, and weighed down with firsthand knowledge of the harsh side effects and hardships that traditional cancer treatments bring, when Chris’ father received a similar diagnosis years later, he believed he could find a better solution.

That better solution was discovered after researching the health benefits of cannabis. Again and again, Chris kept being drawn back to the stories of people who were using cannabis to aid their recovery, and he became convinced of its medicinal value.

Wanting to share his newfound knowledge with the public, Chris began building a partnership that would become Northeast Alternatives. He reached out to his cousin Richard Rosier, now co-owner and CFO, cultivated silent partners, and then added Kyle Bishop and Zac Cooper from Colorado to the leadership team, along with cultivators and longtime friends, Stevie Dillard and Brad Kirkman.

Together, the cultivation team has well over 50 years of experience and has won over 20 awards. Their highly experienced kitchen and lab staff allow them to make the best concentrates and edible products on the market today.

Together, the cultivation team has well over 50 years of experience and has won over 20 awards

Kyle Bishop got a head start on learning about the business way back in the year 2000, when he lived in Colorado – the first state to legalize marijuana. There, with the help of his long time partner, Zac Cooper, he designed, staffed, and managed a 200,000 square foot facility – and together placed in the USA’s first High Times Cannabis Cup in 2010 under the Sativa Flower Category.

Back in Massachusetts, Northeast Alternatives opened for Medical Marijuana sales in 2018, and then recreational use after the prohibition on cannabis was lifted in the state in 2019. Their custom-fit building at 999 William S. Canning Boulevard offers clients both the benefits of a premium cannabis cultivation facility and a retail facility in one stop. They serve approximately 10,000 customers a week.

A growing business

Their dedication to the industry and diligent research has been rewarded with a huge client base – and Northeast Alternatives has been recognized as an industry leader with many awards.

“Our Company has been focusing on producing the highest quality flower and products,” states Bishop. “We have won 14 awards in total over the past two years, ranking in The Harvest Cup, NECANN Competition, Commonwealth Cup, and Best of The Southcoast competitions. We were voted South Coast Magazine’s ‘Best Dispensary 2020’ by our customers.”

“I think we are just at the tip of the iceberg when it comes to understanding cannabis as medicine”

He adds, “At Northeast Alternatives, we hire the most passionate people we can find. We are vertically integrated, so we make most of our products in-house. We have an edible department, an extraction lab, a grow, and a dispensary. We also package and have extensive post-harvest operations. We have a diverse group of people and skills.”

A common misconception about cannabis is that consumers must “get high” to take advantage of its benefits. Not so, explains Bishop.

“In fact, you do not have to get high at all to utilize cannabis as medicine. Our recently awarded CBD sugar concentrates (Harvest Cup 2020, 1st and 2nd place) are perfect examples of this.

“I think we are just at the tip of the iceberg when it comes to understanding cannabis as medicine. We know that cannabis helps with glaucoma, epilepsy, and all sorts of other illnesses, but there’s still so much we don’t know. I believe in the next five years we will finally start to discover the science behind this incredibly medicinal plant as research develops and advances.”

Northeast Alternatives is constantly finding new ways to deliver cannabis products to patrons. Recently, they began offering a new Farm-to-Fam brand RSO tincture and Delta 8 pens called MOTIV8.

“These products are very medicinal and are suggested for new users,” says Bishop. “I am not aware of another dispensary that is offering Delta 8 THC in edibles, tinctures, and vape pens like we do. Delta 8 produces a much less intense, gentle, and extremely enjoyable experience.”

The dispensary has an expansive website full of pertinent information regarding the facility, as well as marijuana science and facts. You can find it at nealternatives. com, as well as ordering information.

You’ll also learn about the passion that fuels this business, and why it’s a dream come true for its founders and owners.

“You will see that our team is really what makes us ‘the best damn dispensary in the northeast’ – which is our company-wide goal and motto from the grow rooms, to the lab, in the kitchen and behind the counter,” concludes Bishop.

A team member trims a batch of gummies

Northeast Alternatives is constantly finding new ways to deliver cannabis products to patrons