Newton’s First Retail Marijuana Store Could Open Next Week

NEWTON, MA — Since early last month, Garden Remedies, the medical marijuana dispensary in Newtonville has been waiting for the final green light from the state to expand to sell adult use recreational marijuana. Now, according to officials there, it looks like that opening day may be early next week. It will be joining 15 other recreational pot shops around the state.

In 2016, about 54 percent of Newton voters supported the statewide ballot measure that legalized marijuana. And then 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. The other is for Cypress Tree Management on Eliot Street, which isn't likely to open for a few months.

The final state regulatory inspection for Garden Remedies expanded sales has finally been scheduled for Thursday, the company announced Wednesday.

Following the inspection, results will be sent to the state Cannabis Control Commission, which will give the last go-ahead, most likely late Friday afternoon. Once that happens, the company will leap into action and finalize and announce the official Grand Opening date.

Garden Remedies will then become the 16th adult-use retail establishment to open in the Commonwealth and the second in Greater Boston. In March, a medical marijuana dispensary expanded to offer recreational pot on the corner of Boylston Street and Washington Street in Brookline Village. And while the town was concerned about possible long lines on Opening Day, opening week there went without long lines or issues.

Newton Mayor Fuller said representatives from Newton police, law department, transportation, health and human services and planning departments are working together to ensure an "orderly and safe opening," here.

What will happen on opening day in Newton?

Consistent with the deal Garden Remedies made with the city it will be urging customers (who have to be at least 21 and have a valid id) to make online appointments or call to book appointments for specific time slots in order to make a purchase there.

So, unlike in Brookline, where New England Treatment Access dispensary opened to adult use recreational sales recently and allowed walk-ups, there will be no walk ups permitted in Newton. >> Smooth Rollout: Boston Area's First Pot Shop Opens Without Crazy Traffic

Each person will be allotted a 15-minute appointment for at least the first week and then if nothing crazy happens, they'll offer 10-minute slots after the first week.

The plan is to be open Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Per state law, customers must show a valid, government-issued ID that proves they are at least 21-years-old.

No parking

There is no customer parking at Garden Remedies now. An onsite parking lot will open this summer. Metered parking is available on Washington Street, but authorities are asking folks not park on side streets nearby. And so, officials are encouraging visitors to take public transportation or ride shares to reduce traffic in the area.

The Newtonville commuter rail is across the street and runs from South Station to Worcester.
There are also several bus routes (553, 554 and 556) with nearby stops on Washington at Harvard Street and at Court Street. There's also a bike rack on-site, and Lime bikes available for pick-up and drop-off nearby.

Garden Remedies also operates medical marijuana dispensaries in Melrose and Marlborough and says it is the only cannabis company in the Commonwealth founded and led by a woman physician.

Garden Remedies isn't the only pot shop looking to bring retail marijuana to town: Several others are eyeing Newton's eight licenses, including Cypress Tree Management, which was previously approved to open a medical marijuana dispensary.

The city council voted to approve Cypress Tree Management's plan to expand its medical marijuana operation (currently under construction) to also allow adult use recreational marijuana sales at 24-26 Eliot St, in Newton Upper Falls.

Opening could take months, which means when it does open, it will likely open for both recreational and medical use marijuana sales at the same time.

• 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

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).