Berkshire Roots, Putting Down Roots in Pittsfield

Berkshire Roots are putting down roots in Pittsfield and positioning itself to be a medical and a recreational marijuana dispensary when permits are issued later this year.

Berkshire Roots has been working on and are now finishing up a massive renovation of 501 Dalton Ave., a commercial building that formerly housed Jay's Custom Muffler & Auto, Casey's Billiards, and the Salvation Army store. Making way for a medical marijuana dispensary and renovations which are nearly complete.

The company received its approval to open the facility back in July 2016 and only a few months later voters approved the legalization of recreational sales.

The company intends to open for medical marijuana in March and when state permits are issued in the summer, have the ability to also serve recreational marijuana. The renovations are nearly complete and a temporary certificate of occupancy has been approved to allow cultivation and processing inside the facility. The company is now waiting for the state to sign off on the location itself and issue a license to sell.

Formerly known as Khem Organics, the company hoped to open sooner, but working through the approval process and renovations to the building had taken longer than expected. Attorney Andrea Nuciforo said the state Department of Public Health has walked through the property multiple times, requiring multiple adjustments to the plan.