Real-estate entrepreneurs seek to benefit from CCC Social Equity Program with Oxford cannabis business
Photo | Timothy Doyle
Daniel Yarnie, in front of Suney's Pub which he recently bought, with his branded Chandler's Finest tote bag which he uses to distribute food and gifts to people in need.
Finest Trees LLC, owned by Worcester property developers, Rebecca and Daniel Yarnie, has applied to open a cannabis dispensary in Oxford.
WBJ met with Daniel Yarnie at the former location of Suney’s Pub and Family Restaurant, which he recently purchased, to talk about his hopes to open a dispensary in Oxford at 64 Leicester St. Finest Trees is applying for the last available dispensary permit in the town of Oxford.
The company obtained Social Equity Program certification from the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission in 2021 and is pre-certified for Marijuana Delivery Operator and Marijuana Delivery Courier licenses.
The Social Equity Program provides technical assistance and training to participants seeking to enter the cannabis industry. The Cannabis Control Commission states on its website that the program creates sustainable pathways into the cannabis industry for individuals most impacted by the War on Drugs, marijuana prohibition, disproportionate arrest, and incarceration.
The son of Ghanian immigrants, Daniel Yarnie grew up around the corner from Suney’s Pub, on Mason Court, a dirt road off of Mason Street. He was a point guard on the Doherty High basketball team in Worcester, but after his father died of a heart attack in 2005, Yarnie says that he lost his way.
Yarnie was arrested in 2006 for possession of marijuana, which caused him to be kicked off of the Doherty High basketball team. He was shot multiple times in an incident in 2007. While still recovering from his wounds he was convicted on assault charges, a crime for which he still maintains his innocence.
After serving 100 days in prison, Yarnie decided to change his life and over the years he built his real estate business, buying and renovating properties, inspired by his mother who bought her house with cash she had saved.
Now the Yarnies own properties throughout the Worcester area, which they have renovated, plan to redevelop, or build new housing on.
Another way Yarnie said his mother inspires him is with her generosity. As a child, Daniel’s mother would cook for the whole neighborhood and kept food staples like sugar and flour by the door to help out neighbors when they needed it.
Yarnie says that he follows in his mother’s footsteps by giving food to local shelters and to people in the neighborhood where he grew up. He also gives children backpacks and supplies for school as well as toys around Christmas.
Yarnie credits his family for his success; his mother, the memory of his father, his wife and business partner who has been with him since high school and his four kids. He hopes that his success will inspire others who come from similar backgrounds.
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