Pot Shop Proposed For Hyde Square In Jamaica Plain

JAMAICA PLAIN, MA — The Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council will meet this to talk about a proposal for a pot shop in the space next to Caffe Aromi.

The recreational marijuana shop proposes to open up at 401A-405 Centre St., around the corner from Whole Foods in Hyde Square. The zoning committee also is taking up the proposal by Core Empowerment LLC to change occupancy to include a retail cannabis establishment.

The meeting is set for 7 p.m. Dec. 5 at the Farnsworth House at 90 South St.

Tomas Gonzalez, one of the four owners of Core Empowerment, grew up in the neighborhood, previously ran for Boston City Council and was a former deputy director for the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Gonzalez told the Jamaica Plain News that the location meets local zoning requirements for marijuana dispensaries because it would be 500 feet away from a school and at least a half-mile from the nearest cannabis shop. He also said the company received a rejection letter from Boston's Inspectional Services Department.

There does not appear to be a website or Facebook page for Core Empowerment. Patch has reached out to Gonzalez.

The JPNC is a volunteer organization that offers the people of Jamaica Plain the opportunity to participate directly in governing neighborhood affairs.

Related: Boston's First Pot Shop Could Open Within Months

Photo via Google Maps street view