3 More Marijuana Retailers Clear 1st Hurdle To Opening In Newton

NEWTON, MA — A total of six marijuana businesses have cleared the first step when it comes to setting up shop in the Garden City. Mayor Ruthanne Fuller announced Friday she accepted the Marijuana Host Community Agreement Advisory Group recommendations for provisional host community agreements for three more proposed shops- one in Chestnut Hill, one in Auburndale and one in Newton Four Corners.

Watch for more about MME Newton Retail (MedMen) at 232 Boylston Street in Chestnut Hill, GR Vending MA Newton (Herbology) at 131 Rumford Street in Auburndale, and Union Twist at 1158 Beacon Street in Newton Four Corners.

An advisory group and the mayor denied the applications of three other proposed marijuana retailers including ARL Healthcare at 1114 Beacon Street, Bloominus at 1136 Beacon Street, Green Harbor Dispensary also at 1136 Beacon Street.

Garden Remedies was the first pot shop to open in the city in 2016 as a medical marijuana dispensary. In May, it added adult use retail marijuana sales by appointment to its 697 Washington Street location.

Previously the mayor and the host community agreement advisory group approved a provisional agreement for Cypress Tree at 24 Elliot Street. The city council also approved a special permit. Cypress is waiting for licensing approval from the state’s Cannabis Control Commission (CCC).

Ascend Mass has received a provisional HCA from the mayor and will be before the City Council for a special permit this fall for a spot at 58 Cross Street. They are waiting for licensing approval from the CCC.

The City of Newton has a limit of 8 marijuana retailers if all get final approval there will be room for two more businesses, but, according to the mayor, there are no other applicants in the queue.

The Host Agreement is just the first step in a multi-tiered process, that involves a public hearing and the city council working out a Special Permit with applicants.

In the end, the decision as to whether, and under what conditions, a marijuana establishment may operate is made by the city council as part of that Special Permit process.

Pot is legal in Massachusetts

In 2016, about 54 percent of Newton voters supported the statewide ballot measure that legalized marijuana. Marijuana is legal for adults over the age of 21 in 10 states, including Massachusetts. Medical marijuana is legal in 33. That said: the federal government still classifies marijuana as a "schedule 1 drug," listing it as high potential for abuse.

In 2018 Newton voters rejected a proposed ban on recreational marijuana shops. They also poo pooed limiting the number of shops to 2-4, according to unofficial Election Night results. Newton now has eight licenses to give out, one of which Garden Remedies has. Anther is for Cypress Tree Management on Eliot Street.

RELATED:

• Newton's First Recreational Marijuana Shop To Open
• Garden Remedies Could Open Retail Marijuana Soon: Newton Mayor (February)
• Newton's Garden Remedies Could Sell Recreational Marijuana Next Month (April)
• What's Next For Marijuana Shops In Newton, Ban Question Fails
• 2nd Medical Marijuana Site To Come To Newton
• Newton Passes Temporary Ban on Recreational Marijuana
• marijuana taxes in Newton estimated to range from $291k-$700k
• Ascend Massachusetts To Host Community Meeting

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).