Community Outreach Meeting Presentation for proposed retail cannabis dispensary to be located at 701-703B Mt. Auburn St in Cambridge, MA. To request a copy of the presentation email mike@kushgroove.com

1. The KG Collective
An Innovative Retail Concept for
Job Creation & Economic Empowerment
By Michael Pires & Marcus Johnson-Smith

2. We are humbled by the privilege to present our initial plans for
investing in our childhood community of Strawberry Hill. We
thank you, members of the community, for the opportunity to
share our vision for job creation and investment in the health
and safety in this community.
MICHAEL PIRES MARCUS JOHNSON-SMITH
Co-founder/Owner Co-Founder/Owner
THANKYOU

3. 01 Included in the presentation is a brief
introduction outlining the personal &
professional backgrounds of the
proprietors looking to open the retail
cannabis dispensary.
BACKGROUND OF PROPRIETORS
Outline
A quick break down of the team members & vision for The KG Collective
02 Proprietors Michael Pires and Marcus
Johnson-Smith are seasoned entrepreneurs
with an existing retail business in the Mission
Hill neighbourhood of Roxbury.
SNAPSHOT OF CURRENT BUSINESS
03 Included is a thorough look at the vision
for the cannabis retail dispensary: The
KG Collective. Learn about the plan for
safe products, a secure operation and
job creation priorities.
VISION FOR THE KG COLLECTIVE
04 As part of the Community Host
Agreement (CHO) the town will be
entitled to a percentage of gross annual
sales from business operations.
SUPPORT FOR COMMUINITY
05 We’ll produce educational materials
about the cannabis plant and its
derivatives, and maintain an open access
web portal highlighting FAQ’s about the
products served at the facility.
COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY
06 Feedback mechanisms are, and will be,
put in place to confidentially gather and
respond to any critical feedback,
questions and concerns community
members may have.
LEARNING & FEEDBACK

4. Co-
Founder/Owner
Michael Pires
Team Members
Co-Founder/Owner
Marcus Johnson-Smith

5. Michael PiresCo-Founder, Owner
An entrepreneur at heart and a long-
time lover of cannabis, Michael
combined his passions to launch both
Kush Groove and the KG
Collective. When Mike is not busy
testing out products at the Kush
Groove shop, he is assisting inner city
families in their search for a perfect first
home through his brokerage, MPires
Realty.
BackgroundMeet the members of The KG Collective
> Michael Pires was raised in the Strawberry Hill
community of Cambridge, MA. A graduate of
CRLS, Mike attended and graduated from
Northeastern University.
Native of Cambridge
> Michael Pires earned his bachelor’s degree from
Northeastern University’s School of Business
Administration in 2005 with a concentration in
marketing.
Northeastern University
Alum
> After working for Century 21 and Exit Bayside
Realty, Mike decided to launch his own brokerage,
MPires Realty. Mike has also developed &
rehabbed properties within the Dorchester area.
With nearly 10 years of experience, Mike can boast
that he is truly invested in the community where he
lives.
Massachusetts Real Estate
Broker

6. Marcus Johnson-
Smith
Co-Founder, Owner
As an entrepreneur with multiple
businesses, Marcus’s number #1 passion
is marketing. Outside of his business in
cannabis with Kush Groove & The KG
Collective, he runs Clearwater Branding,
a small team of marketers consultancy.
True to his community roots, Marcus
has served on a number of community
nonprofit boards and committees
including Innercity Weightlifting,
Cambridge Arts Association and Boys
& Girls Clubs of Middlesex County.
Background
> Born & raised in Cambridge, Marcus was a
celebrated youth athlete growing up and CRLS
high school class president. He also was a former
youth baseball coach in Cambridge (WCLL & Babe
Ruth).
Native of Cambridge
> A graduate of Northeasterns’ class of 2008
majoring in African American Studies, Marcus also
spent a semester studying abroad in Ghana, West
Africa.
Northeastern University
Alum
> A long time advocate for cannabis legalization and
social justice, Marcus is an appointed member of
the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commissions
Citizens Review Committee.
Cannabis Control Commission
Committee Appointee
Meet the members of The KG Collective

7. OurStory
Introduced by a mutual friend on a youth basketball court, Mike
and Marcus became best friends over 20 years ago while living &
growing up in Strawberry Hill neighbourhood of Cambridge.
Lifelong, Childhood Friends, 20+
years
After both attending Cambridge Rindge & Latin High School, Mike
and Marcus both were accepted to Northeastern University. Mike
studying Business Marketing while Marcus studied African
American Studies.
College Roommates
After college, Mike and Marcus founded Kush Groove Clothing in
their basement apartment in 2011. Kush Groove Clothing is a
lifestyle apparel and accessories brand celebrating 420 culture.
Business Partners
In 2015, after years of traveling pop up shops, festival appearances
and steady online sales, Mike and Marcus successfully opened The
Kush Groove Shop, the flagship retail location for the Kush
Groove Clothing brand of apparel and accessories.
The Kush Groove Shop
>
>
>
>

8. TheKushGrooveShop1536 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02120
About Kush Groove: Founded by Mike Pires & Marcus Johnson-Smith, the Kush Groove brand was established in 2011 as
an expression brand for city stoners. City streets, all over the world, have seen the growth of the new age urban hippie—
young, fresh, and dynamic. The Kush Groove brand is a blend of style and culture, expressed through an urban fashion savvy.
At our core, we produce high-quality lifestyle products inspired by the four-twenty friendly movement.

9. > The Kush Groove Shop was featured as the “Smoke Shop
Success Story” in a national publication.
Smoke & Vape Magazine: July
2017
> Prior to the launch of the Kush Groove Shop, the founders
of Kush Groove were featured on the front cover of the
Boston Metro.
Boston Metro: September 2015
> Mike Pires & team are featured in an online piece highlighting
the growth and emergence of cannabis brands for Boston
Magazine.
Boston Magazine: July 2013
> Kush Groove co-founder Marcus Johnson-Smith was
interviewed for Collab Radio, an online podcast-type
production put together by MIT.
MIT Radio: July 2012
TheKushGrooveShop1536 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02120

10. TheKushGrooveShop1536 Tremont Street, Boston, MA 02120

11. Current(Provisional&Final)
CannabisLicenses
Effective September 30, 2020

12. CambridgeCannabisZoning
MapAdopted December 17, 2018

13. (Picture used for illustrative purposes)
Flower
Concentrates
Topicals
Edibles
Concept: Building off the brand sensitives of the existing Kush Groove Clothing brand formally established by Michael Pires
and Marcus Johnson-Smith in 20211, The KG Collective will serve as an extension of the brand, focused specifically on
producing, marketing and selling high quality retail cannabis products to adults, 21& over.
TheKGCollective
An Innovative Dispensary Concept by Kush Groove

14. Proposed Site
> Both units combined consist of a total of 3600 sq.
ft. We will occupy both floors; using the main
floor for sales & the basement for storage/offices.
Operational Information
> The width of the door and front entrance ramp
comply with ADA standards. The façade appears
to be handicap accessible.
ADA Compliance
> The building is more than 500 feet from the
closet school. There are currently no
cannabis establishments within a .5 mile
radius at the moment.
Compliance w/Local Zoning
701- 703B Mt. Auburn St., Cambridge, MA 02138
> The site is located (see red box) close to the
intersection of Mt. Auburn St., Belmont St. and
Holworthy St. Plenty of parking in front and via Star
Market. Access to MBTA 71 and 73 bus lines.
Description of Property +
Parking

15. Proposed Site
(Continued)701- 703B Mt. Auburn St., Cambridge, MA 02138

16. Proposed Site
(Continued)701- 703B Mt. Auburn St., Cambridge, MA 02138

17. Statement on
SafetyOur commitment to safe, lab tested products & a thriving business in your community
The Safety & Security of Business in Your
Community
By MA law, ALL who enter facility must provide an age appropriate ID
during any retail transaction. We will work with local law enforcement to
ensure best practices of surveillance and on site monitoring. Products
will be located in locked, secure vaults under video surveillance. Limited
inventory will be stored on site.
#1

18. Statement on Product
QualityOur commitment to safe, lab tested products & a thriving business in your community
The Quality of our Products is #1
Priority
Our success as a cannabis operator is a direct reflection of
our commitment to serving our customers with high quality,
state regulated, lab tested products. Our trained staff will
educate consumers on the appropriate dosages for
dispensing, and usage, required by law.
#2

19. Additional Relevant
ConcernsAddressing parking, traffic, loitering, and underage sales
Diversion to Minors & Public Nuisance
With enough parking and accessible MBTA stops from 2 bus
lines, our location, at the intersection of Watertown,
Cambridge, Belmont and the neighbourhood supermarket, is
ideal for destination travel outside of residential boundaries.
Loitering will be enforced and it is illegal to consume cannabis
outdoors.
#3

20. 01
02
03
Hours of
OperationBased on other operators in the
Cambridge/Somerville area, we
envision operation times of
10am - 9pm daily.
Customer Check In Process
Each adult with a
state/government issued ID
who enters the establishment
will be checked in by
receptionist in a closed door
setting before entering the sales
floor.
Estimated Customers
Per/Hr.
With a 1st fl. floor space of
under 1700sqft, we anticipate
servicing approximately 15-20
customers per hour, which
equates to roughly 1 customer
every 3 to 5 minutes.
Snapshot of KG Collective
OperationsWhat The KG Collective Looks Like In Our Neighborhood

21. Priorities for Job
CreationOutline of Our Hiring Priorities for The KG Collective
By law, cannabis establishments are
required to have in place a plan that
outlines hiring for minorities, individuals
and communities most impacted by the
drug war and cannabis prohibition. Our
recruiting outreach will target job boards,
community organizations, and work force
development programs to cater specifically
to minority populations, women led
groups, LBGTQ groups and veterans
groups.
Minorities, Women, LGBT,
Veterans We want our staff to have a great a career
matched with a quality of life that doesn’t
have them commuting hours a day just to
get to work. As we’ve done with our Kush
Groove Shop in Mission Hill, we will make
targeted efforts to hire individuals living in
close proximity to our retail location. In-
store recruitment will encourage customers
and local pedestrians to apply within. As
childhood residents of this neighbourhood,
it is our commitment to ensuring job
opportunities are available for those who
live in the community.
Living in Proximity to Workplace
We know first hand how potentially
valuable ex-offenders (especially those
incarcerated for marijuana possession) can
be to a legal cannabis enterprise. We will
work closely with community re-entry
organizations and programs to create
opportunities for workforce reengagement
specifically targeting nonviolent ex-
offenders. It is our civic duty to focus on
reengaging these populations for career
opportunities in cannabis.
Ex-Offenders & Re-entry
> > >

22. Our partners, established medical
dispensaries operating in Massachusetts, have
agreed to provide staff with facility and
operational training.
Staff Training
Safety & Compliance
A team of retired DPH compliance officers
and health professionals are on board to assist
with the preparation of all required
compliance documentation.
Financing
Our partners, established medical dispensaries
operating in Massachusetts, have secured private
banking services specific to our growth &
financing needs.
Marketing
OperationsOur internal team has years of expert marketing
experience within the cannabis industry, as well
working with Fortune 500 companies and
successful non-cannabis small businesses.
Product Development
We have MOU’s with several reputable
suppliers of Medical Cannabis, to supply our
operation with high quality, tested products.
Construction
DPH and CCC have strict regulations around
how retail facilities will be designed. We have
established construction partners familiar with
the specs required for an approved retail space.
Security
The dispensary will be monitored live by a
reputable private security firm. We will
work with local law enforcement to ensure
security & surveillance best practices.
Banking
Our partners, established medical
dispensaries operating in Massachusetts have
secured private banking services specific to
our operating and management needs.
Our Network of
PartnersSee our List of Strategic Partners

23. 01 02 03
04 05
Jobs &
TrainingAs illustrated in the previous slide/s, we
will go above what is required by law to
encourage participation among
communities most impacted by
prohibition.
Quality Business
OperationAs seasoned business operators, we’ll
apply retail best practices from our
experience running our existing retail
business in Mission Hill.
Safe, Lab Tested Products
Working directly with existing medical
cannabis cultivators, we’ll be stocking our
shelves with the finest, lab tested cannabis
products for consumers & patients.
Ongoing Education
Consumer education and community
education about cannabis products are equally
important. We’ll invest resources to make
educational material/s accessible off and
online.
Financial
ContributionAs part of our community host
agreement with the City of Cambridge,
we’ll dedicate a portion of revenues from
annual sales to go back to the
community, by law.
Our Commitment to the
CommunityOutline of Our Core Values & Commitment to Community

24. WE WANT
YOUR FEEDBACK
QUESTIONS,
COMMENTS,
CONCERNS…
Have comments and questions you’d like to direct
to us? Email us at info@kushgrooveclothing.com
and we’ll be in touch.
Email us at
info@kushgrooveclothing.com Our community presentation is an opportunity for
members in the neighbourhood to hear more
about the vision for The KG Collective dispensary.
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