Uma Flowers Dispensary Submits Special Permit To Open In Waltham

WALTHAM, MA — Uma Flowers, a minority and women-owned cannabis company, has applied for a special permit to open a medical and adult use dispensary in Waltham, a major step forward for the business in its opening process.

Founded by Waltham residents and sisters-in-law Priyanka and Tejal Patel in 2019, Uma Flowers would be located inside a 7,300 square foot building at 196 Bear Hill Rd.

If the City Council grants Uma Flowers a special permit, the next step for the company will be to negotiate a Host Community Agreement with the mayor. Despite the lengthy process to open a dispensary in Waltham, the Patels said they feel supported by locals.

"Generally speaking, I feel welcomed by the [city]," said Priyanka. "They voted for cannabis in Waltham, so we feel like the residents want it."

"We have had two community outreach meetings and had no opposition," added Tejal. "We feel like we've got community support."

Uma Flowers is one of several businesses attempting to open the first retail cannabis store in Waltham, including Middlesex Integrated Medicine, Thrive Cultivation & Dispensary, and David Schmidt of Waltham Cannabis, Inc. Although the city voted to legalize recreational marijuana in 2016, it passed two moratoriums on issuing licenses, the second of which expired in June 2020, and has still not approved an opening.

Some residents feel as though the city is creating unnecessary roadblocks in the opening process, expressing frustration with the fact that the city is trying to economically recover from the COVID-19 pandemic yet has not brought in a cannabis dispensary, which would mean an increase in tax revenue for the city.

"I think there are select individuals who are concerned for the welfare of the community, said Grouches of Waltham contributor Emily Saperia. "However, it is not appropriate to have these discussions anymore because [cannabis] is legal."

"I don't understand why we can't have community members opening businesses in areas where they are experts," she continued.

Saperia said the most recent example of pushback from city officials was at the August 3 Board of Zoning Appeals meeting, at which Uma Flowers proposed a small expansion to the building's foyer to allow for a reception area and were questioned about issues irrelevant to the topic at hand, including parking, traffic, and security.

The Patels said they are remaining hopeful that their application will be successful, as their main goal is to create a comfortable and convenient experience for their customers and patients.

"We are just really hopeful," said Tejal. "Knowing we have support really motivates us. We are keeping our fingers crossed and remaining hopeful."