Garden Remedies Could Open Retail Marijuana Soon: Newton Mayor

NEWTON, MA — The Garden City could have a functioning recreational marijuana retail shop open within the next three months, according to Mayor Ruthanne Fuller.

The state just gave Garden Remedies a provisional license, which means it could open in the next 60 to 90 days. In response, the mayor said she's proposing a process for evaluating potential applicants and putting together "Community Host Agreements."

Fuller also said she's watching to make sure the company's expansion from medical marijuana into retail marijuana at 697 Washington Street in Newtonville, is safe and smooth.

"We are taking measures to make sure Garden Remedies manages the flow of customers and cars. This includes making sure Garden Remedies has a satellite parking facility and shuttle service before opening," she said.

There are plans for police details; an appointment system; procedures for management of customers; electronic message boards and a communication plan, she said.

But it's not just Garden Remedies that is looking to bring retail marijuana to town. Several others are in the process of eyeing Newton. The zoning ordinance allows up to eight businesses in town.

Chief Planner Jennifer Caira has fielded daily inquiries from groups seeking information, and at least five inquires from groups who are interested in Newton, according to the mayor.

Cypress Tree Management, which has a special permit to open a medical marijuana establishment at 24-26 Eliot St, in Newton Upper Falls also filed for a special permit to expand to recreational sales there, according to the mayor.

But before any marijuana retailer sets up shop in town, the state Cannabis Control Commission requires the mayor sign Host Community Agreements with Marijuana Dispensaries. The agreement must stipulate the responsibilities of the marijuana establishment or RMD and of the community, and may include a community impact fee of up to 3 percent of gross sales to be paid to the host community.

Fuller has signed an HCA with Garden Remedies for retail, contingent on the City Council granting a Special Permit.

Currently, there's a Special Permitting process for marijuana businesses in Newton. Marijuana uses are restricted to certain commercial and manufacturing zones and numerous standards and criteria are placed on the different types of marijuana uses, including a limitation of eight marijuana retailers in total and a requirement for a half-mile buffer between all marijuana retailers and RMDs. But the mayor is proposing adding a review layer to the applicant process.

"I want to create a fair and transparent process for evaluating potential applicants for an HCA with the best interests of Newton in mind. With the number of opportunities for marijuana retailers capped, I also want to ensure we have done our due diligence with applicants before signing a Host Community Agreement," said Fuller in a letter to City Council.

Before applicants start the Special Permit process, she wants them to first meet with a mayoral advisory group made up of representatives from the planning, police, law and transportation departments and the mayor's office. That advisory group will then make a recommendation to the mayor as to how well the applicant meets criteria in categories of security, public health, community relations, experience, equity, economic value, sustainability and context.

The primary focus of the HCA in Newton is financial. It sets forth the amount and method of payment for a negotiated community impact fee of up to 3 percent of gross retail sales, as well as a donation to a Newton public charity or nonprofit.

It also sets forth other terms, such as a commitment to diversity in hiring, hiring qualified employees who are Newton residents, and cooperation with the Newton Police Department for security and the City with drug abuse prevention initiatives.

Applicants will still need to get a Special Permit from the City Council and state licensing, and that the establishment will be subject to special permit conditions as may be voted by the City Council.

The state also gave provisional licenses to retail marijuana dispensaries in Brookline and Framingham.

There's no time restriction for the mayor to sign an HCA agreement.

Photo by Jenna Fisher/Patch Staff