Stem Haverhill’s CEO Marches on Following Cancer Scare

Caroline Pineau, owner and CEO of Stem, a Haverhill cannabis retailer, recently shared her story of navigating the struggles of breast cancer, while managing a company.

She appeared on WHAV’s morning program. Pineau explained, after being diagnosed last October, she underwent a double mastectomy to avoid chemotherapy and radiation treatments.

She was encouraged by medical professionals to have an early mammogram due to breast cancer running in her family. Pineau said her thankfulness in catching the cancer early saying,

“I was grateful that early detection allowed me to have more options in my treatment,” said Pineau. “If there’s one thing that I could empower women to do more is to be more on top of early detection when it comes to your breast care health,” she added.

Despite Pineau’s cancer scare, she continues her work as Stem launched a campaign to collect signatures to allow on-premise cannabis consumption in Haverhill. Explaining, Stem will need 4,700 signatures from registered Haverhill voters in order to get its question on the November ballot. Stem was looking to collect signatures at CiderFeast last Thursday, June 18, and again Wednesday night at the Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce, where Stem had a “community education evening” to answer question from potential supporters.

Stem is also hosting its fifth annual Green Goddess Invitational golf tournament on Oct. 26, at Renaissance Golf Club in Haverhill to support early detection breast cancer advocacy and support for women facing cancer diagnoses.

Pineau described how Stem sees itself contributing not just to the community of marijuana users in the city but to Haverhill as a whole,

“We have a vision for Haverhill as a thriving community where small businesses can flourish and contribute to the local economy. So, we really see social consumption as a way to create more jobs, boost local businesses and foster a sense of community here in Haverhill.”

She added, “We really believe this can help bring more vibrancy to Haverhill’s downtown.” Pineau remarked on Haverhill’s desire to have a 18-hour economy, believing that Stem can be a contributing factor in this endeavor.

Currently, Stem is breaking ground on phase two of its construction to turn its 124 Washington St. building’s third and fourth floors and roof into a cannabis lounge. The building within the Washington Street Shoe District, was built in 1876, prior to the Great Fire of 1882. Pineau said she believes the location was “born to be a cannabis building.”

Stem has hearings scheduled Wednesday, July 8, before the Planning Board and Tuesday, July 14, before the City Council.