Marijuana Retail Shop 'Union Twist' Proposed For Newton

NEWTON, MA — For those curious about the proposed retail marijuana shop slated to go into the space formerly occupied by Jaylin Cleaners on Beacon Street, not far from the Walnut Street intersection and Cold Springs Park, there's a meeting that might shed more light on that, coming up. According to the city, representatives from Union Twist will be at the meeting this Thursday to answer questions from community members.

It's slated for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10 at the First Unitarian Universalist Society, 1326 Washington St.

Union Twist is one of six cannabis businesses that have already cleared the first step when it comes to setting up shop in the Garden City. Mayor Ruthanne Fuller announced last month she green lighted provisional host community agreements for proposed shops in Chestnut Hill (MadMen), Auburndale (Herbology) and Union Twist in Newton's Four Corners.

Union Twist's CEO is Amy McNamee, a longtime Boston resident with a background in finance who has practiced law for more than 20 years. She was previously an assistant district attorney in Suffolk County. She has hired a head of security who is a 27-year veteran of the Boston Police Department and a former Superintendent in chief, and has committed to hiring a diverse workforce, according to the Community Host Agreement. Investor and entrepreneur Tahira Rehmatullah of Hypur Ventures is another name behind the company. She's been named one of the most powerful women in the cannabis business by Fortune Magazine.

According to the agreement the business will add landscaping and fencing along the southern and western boundaries to limit connections to Cold Springs Park and make improvements to lighting in the parking lot. The business would use about 2,290 square feet of retail space in the shop formerly occupied by Jaylin Cleaners on Beacon Street not far from the Walnut Street intersection. It's near IQ Kitchen, a takeout restaurant. The retailer would upgrade the facade for the entire building, restripe the parking lot, according to the agreement.

The some 25 people the company plans to employ will be encouraged to take public transit, and be given MBTA passes. The city would get an average of $700,580 in taxes and community impact fee each year from Union Twist. In addition, the company said it would promise to hire at least 30 percent racial minority.

The proposed site has dedicated parking and is located toward the western edge of a commercial strip, far enough away from the intersection, according to the city, which went into the advisory committee's decision to recommend giving the business the thumbs up:

"There are safe site distances and adequate parking. The façade upgrade for the building will improve this underutilized parcel and the entrance at the rear of the site will minimize visibility of the retailer for neighbors," reads the agreement "The storefront is directly across from the Newton Cemetery and buffered by commercial uses on either side and a fence and landscaping separates the rear of the parking facility and the apartment building to the south, though additional landscaping and fencing is recommended."

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 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 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 has a limit of eight marijuana retail licenses it can give out.

Here are the six with community host agreements worked out:

• Ascend Mass, LLC, 58 Cross St
• Cypress Tree Management, 24-26 Elliot St
• Garden Remedies, 697 Washington St
• Herbology, 131 Rumford Ave
• MedMen, 232 Boylston St
• Union Twist, 1158 Beacon St

The meeting announcement:

Newton's First Recreational Marijuana Shop To Open ... - Patch

3 More Marijuana Retailers Clear 1st Hurdle To ... - Patch

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).