Marijuana testing company closer to opening Natick location

NATICK — Kaycha Labs, a Florida-based company that tests marijuana products for quality and safety, is closer to opening its first Massachusetts location.

Planning Board members on Wednesday voted 4-0, with one abstention, to approve a final draft decision with the company. 

Last month, the board granted Kaycha the necessary local permits to open in Natick.

Kaycha, based in Davie, Florida, has eight testing labs in seven states — Colorado, Florida, California, Oklahoma, Nevada, Oregon and Tennessee.

The Natick lab plans to open in April at 16 Tech Circle, in an industrial park.

“We’re looking forward to getting into business,” said John Schwartz, Kaycha’s chief operating officer.

Kaycha is finishing a review process with state officials. It received a provisional license from the state Cannabis Control Commission, Schwartz said.

The Select Board voted unanimously in November to sign a host community agreement with Kaycha. Highlights of the agreement include payment to Natick of a community impact fee of 1% of gross annual sales, capped at $25,000; Kaycha staff assisting in Natick’s drug prevention and outreach programs; and the company making its best effort to hire Natick residents.

The Natick location would employ more than 60 people, including scientists and quality-control staff. Women would comprise at least 50% of the staff, and 25% would be minorities, veterans, people with disabilities and LGBTQ+, according to company documents supplied to the town.

A small amount of marijuana would be on site at any time, Schwartz mentioned in prior discussions with the Select Board.

Legal background checks are done on Kaycha drivers who deliver the product to the lab, according to Schwartz. Samples are locked in a secure area, and destroyed after testing.

Henry Schwan is a multimedia journalist for the Daily News. He can be reached at hschwan@wickedlocal.com or 508-626-3964. Follow him on Twitter @henrymetrowest.