An adult use marijuana facility proposed for Friend Street in Boston’s West End was approved by the Boston Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA).
Ascend Mass Inc., who is proposing a retail marijuana shop at 272 Friend St. received its Conditional Use Permit from the ZBA and will now go to the state’s Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) for a license to open an adult use dispensary.
Over the past few months Ascend’s Friend Street proposal has gained community and political support due to its location away from main thoroughfares like Causeway Street,
Headed by former Suffolk County Sheriff Andrea Cabral, Ascend has purchased the Friend Street building and will transform the aging vacant structure into the retail marijuana shop as well as Ascend’s corporate headquarters.
Ascend owns the building and are committed to making sure it is safe and secure.
Ascend’s proposal includes taking the 15,000 sq. ft. building and transforming it into multiple floors for its retail marijuana operation. This, the group explained in its power point presentation, would give customers ample space and reduce the number of people that would have to wait outside. They also plan to renovate the facade of the building, limit the marijuana shop signage and install opaque windows to shield interior activity from neighbors and pedestrians walking by.
According to a statement from the team construction on the building should begin next month. Ascend planned hours of operation are from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m