Tenax Strategies Cannabis Capabilities 6.2024

Get Licensed. Get Open.

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ABOUT THE FIRM

For 10 years, Tenax Strategies has provided end-to-end project management for clients to establish licensed cannabis businesses in several states, including in some of the most heavily-regulated and challenging municipalities and locations. We take cannabis businesses from concept to commence operations, managing projects and cutting through the red tape so cultivators, retailers, manufacturers and others can focus on getting their doors open and join this exciting and growing industry.

Unlike many cannabis consultants, we actually perform the work. We don’t just create a plan and advise clients on what to do. We execute that plan, including taking on the often labor-intensive tasks and managing the project from idea to opening We handle the license application process, sort through state and local laws and permitting regulations, build coalitions of support in local communities, manage site selection, assist on compliance for state and local matters when businesses merge or are acquired and more.

Our experience and track record has prepared us for success in even the most challenging business or regulatory climates We customize campaigns that work and have the know-how to remove barriers to entry so responsible operators can thrive in the exciting cannabis industry.

DRIVEN. DEDICATED. DETERMINED.

PETER D'AGOSTINO, PARTNER OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM

A proven leader, Peter has extensive experience implementing and executing government relations and public policy strategies for private and publicly traded cannabis companies, Fortune 500 companies, corporations, partnerships, investors and individuals

Peter has unique expertise in helping companies negotiate all levels of municipal and state government as they seek approval of projects He regularly represents clients in front of Select

Boards, City Councils, Planning Boards, Health , Zoning Boards of Appeal and other state and local agencies. Peter works to achieve successful outcomes for both his clients and the municipalities

Well versed in the regulatory challenges of emerging markets, Peter has developed a reputation as one of the leading strategists in the cannabis industry in Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey. He is skilled at illustrating for communities the many benefits of the industry, including job creation, economic development and the creation of new tax revenue, leading to successful licensure of cannabis operators He also specializes in locating zoning compliant sites and assisting operators through the permitting process, including negotiating fair host community agreements or local resolutions

Since 2012, Peter and the Tenax team have been relentless in representing cannabis operators to help them get licensed and get open. Peter assists clients with site selection, building municipal support, land use approvals, permitting, community outreach, cannabis licensing, general cannabis business consulting and post operational support. Peter provides a comprehensive project management approach, often taking companies, investors or indivduals in Massachusetts, New York and New Jersey from concepct to commence operations.

GREG D'AGOSTINO, PARTNER

With over 20 years of experience in public affairs, Greg is a highly-skilled strategist that has managed campaigns for a wide spectrum of highly-regulated industries and complex legislative and regulatory issues. He leveraged his decades of public affairs experience to spearhead Tenax's multi-state expansion of the cannabis practice, providing cannabis consulting and project management services to clients in emerging and legal markets across the country.

Greg's top priority is delivering value to clients by helping new operators get started in the industry, assisting existing operators to enter new markets, and expanding their portfolio of assets. Greg is driven to protect he position of his clients in the marketplace to deliver clients a return on investment.

Greg is a creative problem solver and a passionate advocate for his clients, leveraging his extensive knowledge of the cannabis industry to develop innovative solutions that drive success He is an experienced strategist and negotiator, adept at navigating the ever-changing landscape of the cannabis industry to achieve the best possible outcomes for his clients and is committed to delivering results that exceed expectations.

Before Greg acquired Tenax Strategies, he served as COO of one of Boston’s most successful communications and public affairs firms. Greg’s top goals were to protect his client’s business interests, grow their businesses, or create new opportunities for them in their respective industries. Early in his career, Greg worked with many of Massachusetts’ top elected officials, including US Rep Stephen F. Lynch, U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton, and former Lt. Gov. Tim Murray.

HOW WE HELP

Our firm has deep experience in cannabis public policy and an extensive track record of building support and receiving local and state level approvals

WHAT SUCCESS MEANS TO OUR CLIENTS

There are many steps toward achieving these goals, and many require deep industry expertise and experience, and frequently, extensive research, outreach and administrative work. We handle it all.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Tenax will provide the Client a single point of contact for navigating complex state and local regulatory frameworks and for seeking approvals from the principals Our approach minimizes the owner’s and investor’s time requirements on the day to day items while retaining full control and decision making authority over every aspect of the entire project.

We believe this approach provides the smoothest and shortest path to getting a cannabis businesses operational.

Local Permitting:

We are experts at building relationships with local regulators and elected officials, coordinating grassroots support and navigating through the red tape of city and town halls

Here’s what we do

Negotiate local “host community agreements” or “local resolutions" These are multi-faceted and often tricky engagements that require experience and expertise; Educate local elected officials that our clients’ sites and companies are the right fit for the limited number of licenses they want in their community;

Site selection/control – Identifying and securing a viable and attractive site that complies with local bylaws is key to successful licensure. We help navigate through zoning bylaws and ordinances, identify buffer zones, undertake landlord negotiations and assist with site leases and purchases;

Bylaw changes – Often Town Meeting or City Council approval is required in order to site a cannabis business and we have a long track record of successful campaigns. We’ve also succeeded in overturning cannabis bans in some communities;

Site plan review approvals – We work with licensed professionals to prepare your site plan, customized to comply with local regulations, so you can be approved for business; and

Special permit decisions – We review local permitting regulations and prepare your application with a keen eye for detail to avoid mistakes or delays

Municipal Government Affairs:

Tenax represents clients’ interests with respect to a wide variety of needs it will have at the municipal level related to generating buy-in for the project and obtaining the necessary support and approvals needed to keep the project moving forward and viable throughout the project timeline.

Here’s what we do . . .

Build local support with elected officials or decision makers

Representation in front of municipal boards and committees, including elected officials, planning and/or zoning boards, boards of health, conservation commission, etc. as needed

Work with zoning and planning boards on site plan reviews and special permits

Negotiate host community agreements or local resolutions

Create community relations campaigns, including community outreach meetings and events

Work with local boards of health that sometimes require cannabis businesses to obtain “operating permits” or similar approval;

Work with conservation commissions in communities that require an “order of conditions” or similar approval;

Guide businesses through entire licensing and permitting process; Coordinate all vendors necessary for permitting and development, including architects, lawyers, business consultants, civil engineers and security vendors; and Development of Request for Application (RFA), Request for Information (RFI) or Request for Proposals (RFP) in communities engaging a public process for cannabis projects

State Licensing:

Tenax coordinates and executes timely submittals of state-required materials and documentation for license applications and renewals These are complex, often tedious and labor intensive undertakings that involve the review, creation and coordination of hundreds of pages of documents, filings and emails. We take on that work and make it our job to make you successful in the community. We remove the burden from the client.

Whether a single state operator trying to get into the industry for the first time or an established multi-state operator (MSO) looking to break into a new market, we can customize a winning strategy.

Here’s what we do . . .

Manage licensing process from concept to commence operations; Coordination and development of application materials; Develop strategies to increase likelihood of licensure; Coordination among consultants to ensure requirements of state or regulatory process; and Customize plans state-by-state