Cannabis store applicant makes charitable donations to non-profits

March 6, 2019 | G. Michael Dobbs
news@thereminder.com

SPRINGFIELD – In the effort to obtain a license for a retail cannabis store, one applicant is already fulfilling the requirement to give back to the community.

Diem Cannabis, an Oregon based cannabis company is applying for one of the city’s 15 available licenses to operate a marijuana retail dispensary. It has proposed a store in the historic Hampden Bank building on Main Street close to the Paramount Theater block.

It is one of four locations for downtown all within a mile and half of one anorther.

Former State Rep. Paul Caron who is representing Diem Cannabis, announced the company will make a donation of $10,000 to the Central City Boxing & Barbell’s Youth Boxing program for at-risk youngsters, as well as contributing the cost of 10 hanging baskets of flowers for the Indian Orchard Blooms’ 2019 Campaign.

In a written statement, Chris Mitchem, CEO of Diem Cannabis, said, “Diem Cannabis is happy to be able to help save this important youth boxing program for disadvantaged youth in the city.  When we say we intend to become a part of the fabric of Springfield’s neighborhoods, this is what we mean.”

He continued, “Diem views its support for these types of youth oriented programs as fulfilling the Commonwealth’s commitment of ensuring that the new ‘legal’ marijuana industry benefits those same neighborhoods that its ‘illegal’ sale, and usage, had so negatively impacted in the past. If we are fortunate enough to be granted a license to operate a retail marijuana dispensary in Springfield, Diem Cannabis looks forward to developing a long-term permanent relationship with Central City Boxing, and commits to making an annual financial commitment to help them keep their doors open and continue operating this important program.”

Zaida Govan, president of the Indian Orchard Citizens Council, said, “Diem’s sponsorship has helped the The Indian Orchard Business Connections committee push the number of flower baskets sponsored in our 2019 ‘Indian Orchard Blooms’ Campaign to 73 (58.4 percent), more than half way to our goal, leaving us only 52 away from 125 baskets. Their willingness to sponsor 10 baskets at a cost of $1,400 is a great boost to our efforts.”

Dean Fay, an 18-year member of the Springfield Police Department, who is the director of Central City Boxing and Barbell, a non-profit gym that helps at-risk young people, said, “We have kids in here that, they’ll never step in a ring and box, but they come here every day and work hard and do what needs to be done. We have a tutoring program and help them with their homework. It gives them a place to stay and somewhere to call their own. Diem Cannabis’ generous donation is the first of what we hope will be many that will provide Central City Boxing & Barbell with the ability to stay in operation for many years to come.”

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