Framingham On Track For First Retail Marijuana Shop

FRAMINGHAM, MA — The city approved its first recreational marijuana dispensary, Union Twist, in an agreement earlier this month. This is one of the key steps in opening the dispensary, though the company still needs approval from the Cannabis Control Commission. Union Twist plans on opening at 630 Worcester Rd.

The company projected it will earn $40 million in revenue in its first year and serve about 267,000 customers. Three percent of the revenue — $1.2 million — will go to the city for community wellness programs, paying off higher public safety fees, public health programs and fixing roads in the city.

Urban Twist's location is set on a bustling strip of Route 9 in a building that is being leased by Union Twist's sibling company, UT Framingham RE. The sibling company signed an agreement in January to buy it.

The shop has plans to open every day of the week from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and will be accepting customers by appointment only for the first three months, according to paperwork filed with the city. A parking lot attendant will be on site to keep traffic moving and a satellite parking lot will be available with a free shuttle taking customers to and from the shop.

Customers will be prohibited from hanging out outside of the shop or in the parking lot for more than 15 minutes.

Mayor Yvonne Spicer signed a 3-year "Host Community Agreement" with Urban Twist May 3.

Framingham's marijuana rules currently allow for up to six retail pot shops. Union Twist is the first to sign a Host Community Agreement with the city but three other marijuana dispensaries are in the process of negotiating agreements.