Opinion-editorial By Brit Smith, host of Blunt Talk
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) -- The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission has just given the green light to the state’s 16th adult marijuana retail store.
Garden Remedies has been operating as a medical marijuana shop in Newton since 2016. This week, it got a final license to start selling cannabis products to anyone over the age of 21.
Garden Remedies still has to announce the date of its grand opening, but the Commission says the first day it could legally start sales is Saturday May 25th.
Just like when the first Greater Boston pot shop opened in Brookline, local residents are concerned about possible parking issues and the likely increase in traffic in Newton.
But unlike NETA, Garden Remedies will not be allowing walk-up sales. To do any purchasing of pot, an online appointments will be needed.
On top of that, Newton’s Mayor Ruthanne Fuller says there has been extensive planning between local police, transportation, health and human services, and planning departments to make sure Garden Remedies has an “orderly and safe opening.”
When it finally starts sales, the store will be open for business Monday through Thursday 10am to 8pm, and Friday and Saturday until 9pm.
There is limited parking for those who do book an appointment and drive in, but police are urging visitors to take public transport where they can. The Newtonville commuter rail stop is right across the street from Garden Remedies, and there are several bus routes with nearby stops too (553, 554, and 556.)
The Garden Remedies website also has live updates on wait times for appointments.
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Blunt Talk is a podcast about cannabis hosted by Brit Smith every Monday. You can listen to all previous podcasts on iHeartRadio.