Pot biz snubbed by Allston eyes Back Bay
A pot shop operator rejected in Allston could see City Council approval to open up a medicinal site in the Back Bay after he apologized for mistakes in his previous attempt.
Compassionate Organics is looking to open a 3,000-squarefoot facility at 331 Newbury St., with daily deliveries of marijuana coming from a grow site in Fitchburg. Back Bay Councilor Josh Zakim said he would ask councilors to vote not to oppose the shop at their meeting today, which paves the way for further hearings but doesn’t guarantee a site.
“If we act favorably, it’s certainly with the understanding that this non-opposition is reserving judgment and looking forward to continued community process,” Zakim said at a public hearing yesterday.
Compassionate Organics CEO Geoffrey Reilinger tried to open a medicinal facility in Allston Village last year but was rejected by the council after Allston Councilor Mark Ciommo accused him of falsely implying he had support from law enforcement. Reilinger said he believed he had permission then, but at yesterday’s hearing apologized to councilors for his last application.
“I want to publicly affirm my intentions of running a top-notch facility and take the opportunity to apologize for falling short in our last effort,” Reilinger said, adding he sent a letter of apology to Ciommo. “I’m not happy with how my team performed and how I performed.”
Ciommo told Reilinger he appreciated and accepted the apology and councilors in general seemed open to the facility, which would still need zoning and state approval and would not open until August 2018 at the earliest. A representative from the Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay told councilors the association had not yet studied the proposal but would soon make its own recommendation.
Boston currently has one medicinal pot shop in the Financial District, with others planned for East Boston and Allston. The Back Bay site is planned as a medicinal facility but former City Councilor Mike Ross, representing Compassionate Organics as its attorney, said the company would be interested in potentially selling recreational marijuana if officials approved.