Another Marijuana Establishment Eyes Newton

NEWTON, MA — Another marijuana establishment is hoping to set down roots in Newton.

Nuestra Newton is holding a virtual community outreach meeting at 6 p.m. Feb. 22 to share its proposal to turn the former Especially for Pets shop in Upper Falls into an appointment-only cannabis shop.

In November, the city granted provisional host community agreement to three prospective cannabis retailers including Nuestra at 1185 Chestnut St., the Green Lady Dispensary on Beacon Street and Verilife on Rumford Avenue.

Of the nine other cannabis retailers vying to open in town, Nuestra is the only economic empowerment priority applicant. The Cannabis Control Commission designated the provision to ensure that people from communities that have been disproportionately harmed by marijuana law enforcement are included in the new legal marijuana industry.

The chief executive officer and the chief engagement officers, who own 26 percent and 25 percent of the company are people of color.

The company said it plans to create 15 full-time jobs, with a preference for hiring employees "that identify as diverse or are Newton residents." The company said it expects the city will earn around $250,000 annually from Host Community Agreement revenue on top of taxes. And the company said it is committed to contribute $2,500 to local philanthropic organizations

Nuestra’s proposed shop is about a mile from another proposed in Newton Highlands. The company points out that's double the half-mile buffer that the city imposed between marijuana retailers. Early images depict a renovated building with the words "The Boston Garden" on the front.

"Nuestra believes that the population residing within 3 miles of each site – in excess of 50,000 residents – not only can accommodate two Marijuana Retailers, but will ease demand and traffic for the community as a whole," the company said in a statement, noting there were three liquor stores between the two proposed shops.

The proposed shop is next to a day care and less than a block from the Biltmore bar and All Store Liquors.

How to join the virtual meeting:

The meeting starts at 6 p.m. Fri. 22. Here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88435472645.

Or call: 312-626-6799 with meeting ID 88435472645#.

The meeting's presentation is online.

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 voted down limiting the number of shops to 2-4.

Newton has eight marijuana retail licenses to give out in all, which is based off the number of package store licenses it gives out.

Garden Remedies on Washington Street was the first pot shop to open in the city in 2016 as a medical marijuana dispensary. In May 2019, it added recreational marijuana sales by appointment. Both are by appointment only. Ascend on Washington Street was close behind, but plans there stalled.

Here are the 10 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
• Curaleaf Processing, 241 Riverview Ave
• Nuestra LLC, 1185 Chestnut St
• The Green Lady Dispensary II LLC, 740 Beacon St
• Verilife, 131 Rumford Ave