Melrose Marijuana: Smoke Lifting On New Dispensary

MELROSE, MA — Chill out, man. That medical marijuana facility is coming along just fine.

The Planning Board this week unanimously approved the Special Permit to allow Garden Remedies to establish a Registered Marijuana Dispensary at 732 Newburyport Turnpike - which is sort of across from Town Line Bowling in a former CrossFit space. While there are still some I's to dot and T's to cross, the dispensary on pace to open later this year.

From here, Garden Remedies needs to go to the Building Commissioner to get another permit approved. Then begins the process of building out the dispensary.

Garden Remedies also still need some other approvals from city and state offices, such as the Department of Public Health and Cannabis Control Commission.

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There aren't many radical overhauls planned for the old CrossFit building. There will be painting, signage, lighting, landscaping, and parking lot changes - but by and large the infrastructure is what it is. So what Garden Remedies has to get approved isn't as daunting as a complete renovation might be. Garden Remedies could open as early as September, City Planner Denise Gaffey said.

There are still certain conditions Garden Remedies needs to meet. For instance, the hours cannot exceed 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., seven days a week.

The Applicant provided a detailed presentation which addressed all of the criteria in the Melrose Zoning Ordinance. The Planning Board approved the Permit with certain conditions related to the operation, which will be written into the formal Decision.

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A medical marijuana dispensary appears to be a welcome addition for many Melrose residents. Mayor Gail Infurna has already offered a letter of non-opposition. Only four people attended Monday night's public hearing, and the two that spoke were in favor, according Gaffey.

The current school issue has highlighted the need for new streams of revenue, and the commercial space for commercial additions is pretty tight.

Even those who don't love sharing a city with a pot dispensary can find some solace in the placement of it. It's in that 10-second stretch of Melrose between Saugus and Malden when driving down Route 99. Crafty placement, indeed.

There is a moratorium on whether Garden Remedies can pivot to recreational marijuana sales. The moratorium is over at the end of the year, when it could be discussed.

Photo by Mike Carraggi