Boston's First Cannabis Dispensary Opens With A Request: Avoid Driving

Kevin Hart, Kobie Evans — Entrepreneurs Kevin Hart, of Randolph, Mass., left, and Kobie Evans, of Boston, right, speak to reporters after attending a meeting of the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020, in Worcester, Mass. The commission voted in favor of licenses for a number of cannabis shops, including Pure Oasis, a soon to open pot shop in Boston's Dorchester neighborhood by Evans and Hart.

Saraya Wintersmith covers Boston City Hall for GBH News and is the host of the “What Is Owed?” podcast.

March 06, 2020

With Boston's first recreational marijuana dispensary set to open Monday, the owners and Mayor Marty Walsh are asking would-be customers to leave their cars at home.

"As you see, we have a wonderful new home here on Blue Hill Avenue," said Kobie Evans, co-owner of Pure Oasis, at a store preview press conference Friday morning. "We encourage our customers to take public transportation and seek parking in local municipal parking lots."

Evans and co-owner Kevin Hart noted that aside from the T, those looking to patronize the shop can use ride-share services, bike or walk.

The opening will mark slightly more than one year since the owners signed a contract for business with the City of Boston and three years since Massachusetts voters elected to legalize recreational marijuana with specific provisions to include those disproportionately impacted by the war on drugs.

Asked about the timeline for Boston to open its first dispensary, Mayor Walsh said Friday the wait was deliberate.

"Right away, we made a commitment in 2016 to regulate this industry in a way that works for our city," he said from the Pure Oasis waiting room.

"I don't think it took a long time. I think it's about making sure that we're getting this process right. The worst thing that could happen is if [we] start approving marijuana facilities all over Boston and Massachusetts and realize, 'Oh, we really should've thought about this or that.'"

The mayor added that equity "is at the heart" of the city's first store. Cannabis Control Commission Chair Steven Hoffman agreed and praised the jurisdictions that have prioritized equity applicants.

"I applaud Boston and Cambridge, Somerville, Holyoke ... [which] have introduced equity into their application process," he said. "I would love to see it in legislation that every city and town has a requirement to advance equity."

Hoffman noted the CCC has asked lawmakers to take up a bill that would mandate cities and towns make such equity considerations in the future.

Boston Police Commissioner William Gross said the police will be working with the store to tamp down on those looking to violate the law. He also said BPD will address the illicit market by going after large operations.

"Personal use, fine," declared the commissioner on Friday. But when people begin circulating individually packaged products, or become major distributors, "that does affect the quality of life," for neighbors in the area, he said.

Asked about those who elect to drive to the new store despite the request to commute, Walsh said "it's going to be crazy," when Pure Oasis opens for business in the congested area near the Dorchester-Roxbury line.

"There's going to be lines, and there's going to be cars, there's going to be traffic, there's going to be chaos and there's going to be confusion," he said. "What we're going to do is our best ... to make sure that we limit that."

The owners will not require customers to make appointments for their Monday launch, but said if the demand results in "complete pandemonium," they are open to appointments as a way to reduce the rush.