Hey, there! Log in / Register

City councilor likes proposed marijuana dispensary in Allston - but not the one that came before the council today

City Councilor Mark Ciommo (Allston/Brighton) today tore into a medical-marijuana dispensary proposed for 144 Harvard Ave., stopping just short of accusing its proponents of being liars who would let kids down pot-laced gummy bears and lollipops.

Compassionate Organics needs a statement of "non-opposition" from the City Council to gain state approval for its proposed dispensary. Ciommo had previously voiced support for a competing proposal at 230 Harvard Ave. - by a company whose PR person has done consulting work for him and with whom he is friends.

Compassionate Organics says its proposed dispensary, halfway between Glenville and Brighton Avenue, would provide a much needed service for sick people who need the marijuana. "We get Boston because we're from Boston," CEO Geoffrey Reilinger said at a council hearing today. "We love Boston because it's our home."

But under grilling from Ciommo, Reilinger acknowledged that he had inaccurately stated in earlier applications that he had obtained verbal approval from several Boston Police officials and Sheriff "Elliott" Tompkins. Ciommo produced a letter from Sheriff Tompkins, whose first name is Steven, saying he had never even met with Reilinger, let along spoken with him about medical marijuana.

Two BPD officials - former Superintendent-in-Chief Daniel Linskey and former District D-14 Sgt. Michael O'Hara - e-mailed Ciommo to say they had never given their OK to Reilinger.

Reilinger also acknowledged erring in stating there were no organized children's activities within 500 feet of the proposed site - when, in fact, a karate studio across the street offers children's classes.

Allston Civic Association President Paul Berkeley, however, said both residential and business groups were comfortable with the idea of the dispensary on Harvard Avenue. One business owner testified the proposed dispensary could actually help the Harvard Avenue business district, because it would bring people into the area during the daytime, when business has been decline.

Another store owner testified the other proposed dispensary wouldn't do that because of its location on the other side of Commonwealth Avenue, on the Brookline line. And she asked councilors to forgive Compassionate Organics' errors in its earlier submissions, saying starting a new small business is hard and she doesn't know anybody who's tried who hasn't made mistakes.

Ciommo, joined by at-large Councilor Annissa Essaibi-George, also objected to Compassionate Organics' proposed sale of marijuana-infused candies, saying they would prove too attractive to children.

Reilinger said customers who request marijuana in that form would get lockboxes, essentially small safes, in which to store the infused candy. He said some patients don't want to smoke their marijuana - and that some can't, because of throat or lung problems.

Neighborhoods: 
Topics: 


Ad:


Like the job UHub is doing? Consider a contribution. Thanks!

Comments

Do I agree with Paul Berkeley on something?

up
Voting closed 0

I'm not sure about reality any more.

up
Voting closed 0

Maybe because the opening of Stonehearth Pizza did not in fact bring about the downfall of civilization as predicted, he's become more chill about other things? That's all I've got.

up
Voting closed 0

The dispensary is not open at night.

up
Voting closed 0

And also it doesn't have a liquor license (that I know of).

up
Voting closed 0

It would be great if someone would make a map of Boston highlighting areas that are 500 feet from any children's activities (that have storefronts/commercial space). Do stores that sell cigarettes or gambling (lottery) have to be that far as well? How about opiate dispensaries like CVS/Walgreens?

up
Voting closed 0

Taking prescription antibiotics does not pollute children's playgrounds. Smoking weed in the park does. There are plenty of parents sick and tired of drug use in parks.

up
Voting closed 0

This is not about "smoking weed in the park". This is about having medicinal prescriptions at home.

Last I checked, legally prescribed narcotics did far more to create situations where children's playgrounds are polluted (with needles) than medical munchies.

Also, do these guys complaining about edibles have any idea how they are packaged? I'm betting not based on their ignorant brayings about WHAT ABOUT THE CHILDREN.

up
Voting closed 0

Running a pool in a sketchy park where loitering men smoked pot at picnic tables about 30 feet from the pool fence.

I assure you, not one of the kids swimming in the pool noticed or cared, except for one who asked "ewwww who farted?"

up
Voting closed 0

In this case, the children's activity is a karate studio, not a typical place people go to smoke weed. If this was across from Ringer Park, that might be a different matter. And as to cigarettes, you can buy those both next door and across the street from Jackson-Mann, so clearly our elementary school has an epidemic of smokers.

up
Voting closed 0

Oh Christ! Another one with, "think of the children!". Puh-leeze!

up
Voting closed 0

I don't really care if there's any dispensary in Allston, but there was article in the Globe a month or two back that mentioned Ciommo's campaign treasurer works for the competitor vying for the license so they could open their own shop up the street. In my five years in Allston, I've sent a few emails to local representative voicing a concern and I realize now that his particular office never responds. Not impressed by this guy.

up
Voting closed 0

You could. It sounds like you are active in community issues and take the time to be informed, why not get more involved?

up
Voting closed 0

The neighborhood liason gig at some point. As for now, I'm working all day to pay for grad school at night. Maybe down the line, because I get what you're saying. But I hope someone runs *this* year.

up
Voting closed 0

NO! GTFOOH!

up
Voting closed 0

I suspect you are moving in Sept then? Regardless, my point is that Allston Brighton probably has the highest turnover rate of residents in the city. Many who live there are not even "residents" technically and have driver's licenses/IDs/passports from other states/countries. Its easy to get elected and stay elected in a place where you have to cater to and solicit the votes of maybe a hundred people, two hundred tops. The rest are there to piss in alleys and leave when they are done with school, and couldn't give two shits about the place until they come back and go "Maaaan, Allston's changed duuuuude."

up
Voting closed 0

have you ever been off Harvard and Comm aves?

up
Voting closed 0

It's a city, dude. People move neighborhood to neighborhood. I don't know what your hang up is but just pointing out a conflict of interest.

up
Voting closed 0

up
Voting closed 0

trend among youth for some time. And only older folks refer to it as pot. Not that there's anything wrong with that.

up
Voting closed 0

*Awesome* reporting, thank you Adam

up
Voting closed 0

I suppose I shouldn't mention that all I did was watch the hearing from the porch as it streamed online :-).

up
Voting closed 0

"and Sheriff "Elliott" Thompkins. Ciommo produced a letter from Sheriff Thompkins, whose first name is Steven,"

and whose last name has no "h".

up
Voting closed 0

Will fix.

up
Voting closed 0

Ciommo is trying to make sure a business (which entails a special "permit" and handles a lot of money and drugs that would be otherwise illegal if not for this special permit) complies with regulations which were agreed upon by the voters and their representatives and the CEO of this company is forging names and lying about who recommended him?

And what does Berkley's comment have anything to do with the CEO lying and forging letters and signatures?

Isn't Ciommo also supportive of the idea of a facility here as well, just not one who's CEO lied and forged documents?

up
Voting closed 0

Isn't Ciommo also supportive of the idea of a facility here that is being proposed by his friends as well, just not one who's CEO lied and forged documents?

up
Voting closed 0