Pot Plan Would Relocate Popular Peabody Restaurant

PEABODY, MA -- The state's approval of two medical marijuana dispensary companies that want to open up in Peabody could have implications for another, non-marijuana business. Under a plan by Phytotherapy, the company would open its medical marijuana dispensary on land now used by Brother's Kouzina, and the restaurant would relocate to an as-yet-determined location.

The state's Department of Public Health approved applications for licenses by Wellness Connection of Massachusetts Inc. and Phytotherapy now need to go before Peabody City Council to obtain a special permit to open medical marijuana dispensaries. Sanctuary Medicinals Inc., a third company that wants to do business in Danvers near the proposed locations for the Peabody dispensaries, has yet to receive DPH approval.

Alex Athanas, president and co-founder of Phytotherapy, is the nephew of Brother's Kouzina owners Penny and Jimmy Christopher , according to state business records. Peabody has already passed a temporary ban on recreational marijuana sales in the city. The city is expected to make the ban permanent later this year.

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Patch file photo.

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).