Medical Marijuana Dispensary Proposed for Hyde Park Avenue; Reps Appearing at Tuesday JPNC Meeting

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A medical marijuana company wanting to open a dispensary on Hyde Park Avenue will appear at the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council on June 27.

The Massachusetts Patient Foundation (MPF) spoke at the JPNC on May 23 to "introduce themselves," said Joseph Lekach, an adviser for Massachusetts Patient Foundation. He added personnel have already met with the 4Ws Neighborhood Association4, as well as the neighborhood watch.

The company previously proposed to open a dispensary at 561 Centre St., in Jamaica Plain, but after speaking at a community meeting it was learned there was a daycare within 500 feet. Massachusetts medical marijuana laws state dispensaries must be at least 500 feet away from a daycare.

Now the company is proposing a dispensary at 54A Hyde Park Ave. The dispensary would be roughly 1,500 sq. ft., said Lekach to Jamaica Plain News.

At this location, MPF will be able to serve patients from the entire area due to the proximity to the MBTA Forest Hills station. Also, the closest place where children commonly congregate is more than 500 feet away.

Lekach said MPF has no plans to open a retail marijuana dispensary, which will be allowed in the state after Massachusetts voted in favor of legalizing marijuana in a 2016 ballot question.

"Medical marijuana is a cause we believe in and it's a medicine that actively helps people. Our proposal is actually purely for a medical marijuana facility and in no way for a retail marijuana dispensary. If we have the privilege to apply for a special permit, the only use allowed under that special permit would be medical marijuana," said Lekach.

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