Good afternoon everyone. We're just going to give it a moment to let the waiting room clear. Please make sure you are muted as you enter. All right, and we are going to get started. Good afternoon. This is a hearing before the Boston Cannabis Board, the BCB. Today is January 21st,
2026. Today's hearing is being conducted pursuant to temporary amendments to the open meeting law. This is what allows us to meet virtually. This hearing is being recorded and will be posted to the city of Boston's website. Before I review some procedural matters, I will introduce Chairwoman Kathleen Joyce.
Thank you, Jasmine. Good afternoon. My name is Kathleen Joyce. I'm chair of the Boston Cannabis Board. Today, I'm pleased to be joined by Commissioner John Smith, Commissioner Raone Sodto, and Commissioner Jack Kensaw. >> Thank you, Chairwoman Joyce. My name is Jonathan Wyn and I am the cannabis board
manager. We are also joined by Luke Santos, who is our cannabis licensing specialist. I will begin by calling each item in the order they appear on the agenda. We have two amendments to already approved licenses and two new license applications. A quick housekeeping matter, item number four,
I'm MAD LLC, will be rescheduled to a later date. Each amendment application will have 5 minutes to present to the BCB and the new license applications will have 10 minutes followed by questions and comments from the board members. We will then take public testimony beginning with elected
officials or their representatives followed by the general public. If you wish to testify, please sign up via the link that will be put in the chat. If you already signed up, you do not have to do it again. Additionally, you may use the chat function to request to testify as well. Please wait until the
matter in which you would like to speak about is called. Do not use the chat function to give testimony. It will not be considered. When given testimony, please provide your full name, address, affiliation, if any. Testimony will be limited to two minutes, at which time you will be muted. Additional testimony
may be submitted in writing to cannabis board.gov. The record will be kept open until Monday, January 26 at 5:00 pm. The BCB does not give any more weight to spoken testimony than it does written testimony. The first item we have the
lency is Underground Legacy Social Club LLC doing business at Underground Legacy. The license premise is 1379 Blue Hill A and Madan. The license type is a marijuana retail license and they are requesting an amendment to the operating hours. The current hours are 10:00 a.m.
to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. They're proposing the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. 7 days a week. Who is present on behalf of the lency? >> Isaac Hampton on behalf of Underground Legacy. >> All right, Isaac. Um, you have five
minutes. You may begin. >> Thank you, Jasmine. Madame Chairwoman and esteemed commissioners of the Boston Cannabis Board, thank you for allowing me to present today. As stated, my name is Isaac Hampton. I'm the owner of Underground Legacy, doing business as Underground Legacy. We are located at
1379 Blue Hill A and Madapan. I am here today to seek an amendment to Underground Legacy's hours of operations which currently are Monday through Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sundays 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The proposed hours are Monday through Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Underground Legacy
commenced operations on April 6th of 2024. Since then, we have conducted business without incident, contributing to the social, economic, and cultural fabric of the community. As the first and only operational dispensary in Madapan, we take very seriously our responsibility to be good stewards of
the industry. This is why I'm asking to amend our current hours today. The following four points encaps encapsulate our justification for the proposed change of hours. Point number one, many of the community members we serve in are work in the service industry where
traditional 9 to5 hours do not exist. Patrons of our establishments often find it difficult to get to us with our limited hours. The proposed change to our hours will allow for equal access to our establishment, ensuring that our blue and pink collar patrons are able to
visit us just as easily as our white collar patrons. In the same vein, the current current limited hour structure have resulted has resulted in a deluge of shoppers between the hours of 8 to 900 p.m. On our busier days, we will sometimes see as much as 20% of the
day's revenue during this hour. The flow of traffic on and off the property during the last hour can sometimes be challenging. This is the reason why we are proposing uh elongating these hours so that we can mitigate this challenge. Our second reason being we currently sit
at 13 employees, six full-time, seven part-time. We'd like to expand that. The change in hours will allow us to add three to five more roles to our roster, two of which will be f full-time. Our third reason being our current staff members have been the biggest proponents
of this change have been asking for it for some time. um when we if we are allowed to change our hours, we'll be able to offer more opportunities for increase in pay as well as responsibilities. And then the final reason is um we need to change our hours in order to remain
competitive. Uh and a change in our hours will allow us to mirror the hours of other dispensaries in neighborhoods bordering Madapan. Um, in order to remain consistent with other businesses in Boston, we are looking to change our
hours. And that's it. So, I yield my time to the board's questions. >> Thank you. We'll now move to questions, comments from the board members. Beginning with Chairman Joyce. >> Thank you.
Um, thanks for joining us. So, you were before us in 2024. Is that correct initially? Yes, that's correct. >> So, we received um a letter from uh on behalf of the West Seldon Street and
Vicinity Neighborhood Association. They couldn't join us today. Um and they are describing that your hours were were a specific part of the conversation. Um last time around when you were going for your initial approval, there was a lot
of debate in the community. um was concerned about its the proximity to schools, libraries, and teen centers and were in particular concerned about hours beyond what you have right now for those reasons. So, can you tell me a little bit about the conversations
you've had with this particular group or the neighbors about this request for an extension of ours? So, as of right now, um we we had an abuters meeting um on December 1st, Monday, December 1st, and we there were
no objections um to our proposed change of hours. >> How many people attended that? >> Um I believe there was just one attendant if I'm not mistaken. >> Okay. um at the time that we went to went through
you know the initial process of um of trying to get our license um we did have conversations with individuals about um the hours of operations. I do recall those conversations. Um but um circumstances have changed as I said we
you know we in order to kind of remain um competitive uh with the market changing and other individuals coming on um in the pipeline to um come on and and open up dispensaries. Uh we're requesting a change in the the hours.
>> Have you gone back and talked to any of these people that were concerned about your hours the first time around? We've not had an opportunity to do that yet. Um certainly welcome those conversations. Uh we're not we're not really pressed. We don't have a specific timeline for this change of hours. So we
we're not >> um if it pleases the board, happy to table this so that we can have, you know, further conversations with some of these um concerned constituents and then uh put this back on at a later date. >> That would be my preference. Again, we're not voting on today, but I do
think we have to take into consideration commitments you made to the community the first time around. Um, and only one person attended the Abutters meeting. That's not really a real full community process. >> Mhm. >> And they were very specific about the
fact that your hours were discussed um before them last time and that they raised concerns then. So, um, that's where I stand right now, but I will see if Commissioner Smith has any comments. >> Thank you, Chair Ro. Same thing when I read it. I thought I was going to ask,
have you met with them and spoken to them? >> Guys, have any kind of follow-up conversation. So, I think that would be important before we move forward. >> Commissioner Pinsley, you have questions, comments?
Um, I mean, I'll start off by saying I just appreciate the level of um, input you've gotten from your own employees. That's usually a big thing that I work for. I want to make sure that um, you know, no workers within the location are being forced to uh, completely change
their schedule around without having the ability to have input into it. Um, I mean, kind of along the lines of what the uh other commissioners have said, have you gotten any other feedback from like customers or immediate neighbors that are supporting your efforts to stay
open later? >> Absolutely. Our customers are all for it. They they um welcome the extended hours. Um, as a matter of fact, some of them wanted us to open up even earlier, which um just wasn't feasible for us at this time. But um full support from the
customers and and a lot of the community as well. We do a lot of um uh outreach stuff in the community. Um have been since we opened and they were in support of our uh extending our hours. So >> Okay. Yeah. I mean I think I I definitely agree with the the fellow
commissioners saying that just making sure that we we follow the process all the way through and engage those conversations ahead of time is really important. And then, you know, especially since that was, I think, one of the only pieces of direct correspondence the board got around this, even just like encouraging some of
the people that you've had those conversations with to attend some of those meetings or or send some of that correspondence to the boards that we can get the full picture of the the support and the opposition to this matter. But that's all I really have. Thank you. Thanks, Jasmine.
>> Commissioner Sto. No, >> thank you. Thank you, Jasmine. Um, so I did want to uh echo the comments of the other commissioners um and also ask Mr. Hampton if you've had an opportunity to also speak with your local elected officials um as well to to advise them
of this potential change. >> I have not. >> Okay. So, yeah. No. So I think we're I I think you know um that would also be you know an essential step in in that it would evoke a a different dynamic and environment in those hours you know um
where you know more cars will be uh coming in and out more foot traffic right all the kinds of things that concerned neighbors might say hey what's going on there right and and then they call their city counselor right and then they call you so I think if we can get out ahead of that certainly that would be um you know would would uh would
would want to do that. Um also um you mentioned at the beginning that you've been open uh uh since or that um you've been operating continuously without incident. I don't want to question that. But as far as in like have you had any concerns or any questions whether it be
not I'm not not saying necessarily legally but from uh trash concerns or anything that might have you know been and I'm not saying anything official from the city but just as far as any concerns that have come up in the time of your operation.
>> None that have been brought to my attention. >> Okay. And that's great. So, I think that that's important also to factor in and to um to notate and I would encourage you as you talk about some of the things that you're doing out in the community. Certainly um you know strongly encourage you to kind of uh cat catalog that uh
for those conversations that you uh will will have um you know about this change. Um because a lot of times I I I know I I we hear it uh from this from this venue uh you know this public venue but I know that there are a lot of good things
happening out there and sometimes it's helpful to see it on a page and so if you're doing the the good work out there I think it would be essential um to demonstrate that in some visual way as well as the number of people that you're that you are have working I think that's
also incredibly helpful um you know and certainly if they're from the community I folks in the neighborhood would want to know that, right? So, I'm you know, I just think um there's it seems like there's a a pretty path here. Um but but
you know, communication's key. Um that's all I got. Jasmine, thank you. >> Thank you, Commissioner Sto. I just want to acknowledge we've been joined by Commissioner Gandhi, but I think she just logged on. So, um we will move to Well, do any other other commissioners
have any additional questions, comments? No. All right. We'll move to public testimony beginning with elected officials or their representatives. >> Good afternoon, madam chairman and members or commissioner. Sigy Johnson with the mayor's office of neighborhood services. This applicant has completed
an abutters meeting that was properly noticed on December 1st, 2025 at which uh no constituents chose to speak and no concerns were raised. However, the applicant has not met with the Greater Matapan Neighborhood Council, which is an umbrella organization of various civic associations in this area. We
would request that the board defer their rendering a decision on this matter until the applicant has had time to meet with GMNC and discuss the agreement that was made with that organization when this license was first approved. And with that background, we defer further judgment to the board. Thank you.
>> Thank you, Sigi. Is there anyone else that would like to provide testimony on this matter? Sorry, just a point of information, Jasmine. >> Did greater matter pattern greater did GMNC weigh in um on the initial application?
>> Well, that's a great question. Let me see if I can pull that up. >> We just linked the last hearings folder to this hearings folder if it's helpful to other commissioners. No, I don't see that they submitted anything for their last application. No.
>> Okay. I'm just uh Yeah, because I I do uh appreciate their role uh in the community. I I also want to make sure that we're being faithful to the original commitments made and to whom they were made with. Uh, I would just hate to set
a precedent where a new neighborhood council emerges and then all of a sudden becomes the decider of an agreement that was not they were not party to. Uh, so I just want to flag that real quick for folks. Um, something to be to consider.
Thank you. >> Thank you, Commissioner. Um, is there anyone else that would like to provide testimony? >> All right. See no one the board will take this matter under advisement. Thank you. >> Thank you commissioners.
>> The next matter we have the lency is Castle Leaf LLC doing business as Castle Leaf. The license premise is 100 Birmingham Parkway in Brighton. The license type is a marijuana retailer and product manufacturer license. The request is to amend their operating
hours. The current hours are 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Sunday. The proposed hours of operation are 10:00 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday. Who is present on behalf of the lency?
>> Uh, good afternoon, Attorney Scott Rubin on behalf of Cassie LLC. I have my principal with me. Suzanne Catrreyan is also on this call or this virtual meeting as well. She's the she's the principal owner currently at this time.
>> Thank you. Uh you have five minutes. You may be in. >> Great. Thank you very much again. Appreciate the opportunity to present this application uh to the board. Um, this business uh began operation back in December of 2023
and uh my clients who currently are in possession and operating this business uh have done so as of September of 2025. So, uh, my group that I represent, uh, acquired their, uh, the whole interest
of Castle Leaf in September of 2025 and spent quite a significant amount of money to, uh, to attempt to revive this really what was essentially a failing uh, cannabis business. Uh so my clients uh feel strongly that in this particular
business and this community and since they've had their opportunity to sort of get into their their side of the operations which has essentially been four to five months they've also found very similar to a lot of these applications I've been on these meetings
in the past and I know that a lot of cannabis businesses are coming forward. This is seems to be a fairly routine request to come in and ask for amended hours. And so it's sort of a sort of an ongoing struggle with uh not only with this uh this board, their ability to
sort of serve customers uh deliver the kind of um you know to to increase sales and to try to survive in this business. So, uh, the business quite frankly, again, as I mentioned, was sort of a failing business. And so, we we picked up and put the investment in and hope to
be able to spread out our hours in order to serve more customers who are obviously are demanding that of us. Otherwise, we wouldn't we wouldn't request it. Um, my understanding is, although I don't have that information off hand, we did have a I believe we did
have a neighborhood meeting. Um, I think Suzanne, I can't remember the date that you had uh the neighborhood meeting with uh the local association, but I think Dan Dailyaly was his name, had mentioned to me at our virtual meeting that the hours that we're asking
for, which is only one additional hour for each day. We're not asking for expanded hours in the morning, uh, we're certainly we're only asking for one additional hour for each day of operation. He had mentioned that it was the same essentially these are the same hours that were originally requested but the
business chose not to open during during these extended hours. Um I I couldn't find any lo any information about that but I'm just passing that on if he happens to be on the meeting. I don't know if that was information that was uh that was that could be that could be located but um
>> yeah I'm trying to locate it. >> What's that? >> I'm trying to locate the date actually. I forgot what was the date. Yeah, we did have we did have a neighborhood there was a neighborhood association. Susanna attended that meeting. Um >> I'm sure they'll have it. Uh we did do
you know the local meeting on December 15th as well. I don't believe uh nobody attended. Um the neighborhood association did did attend that meeting as well. Um which I'm sure the mayor's representative will be happy to would would would chime in on that. Um this is
an important request. Again, we're we're centrally located in the Boston Landing neighborhood, which um I'm sure the commissioners are aware. This is where uh Ice Warrior Arena is. The Celtics uh uh practice facility is. There's several hundred million dollars that were
invested in this particular neighborhood. We're right on the other side of that particular location. We serve a pretty vibrant and diverse community. Our customers are asking for this. Our our employees are in support of it. I think Susanna, we have eight, right? As of last time you provided me
with that information, we had eight employees, six of which are local uh local residents and um you know, Suzanne is really as a as a womanowned business is really trying to uh you know, put this investment that was made into this business and really make it work. So,
we're really hopeful that uh you know, we could remain competitive in this market and ask that the uh commission approved this request. >> Scott, uh sorry to interrupt. Um, so we met the group December 15. >> Okay. Well, that that was the
neighborhood meeting. >> Yes. >> Okay. That's all I have. >> Okay. Thank you. And I'm just looking back at you guys's original host community agreement which was in 2021. It It's the same hours. I don't know if
you >> Okay. I wasn't sure because Dan had mentioned that. That's why I said I couldn't locate what the original hours were. It wasn't on the any paperwork that I had, but that was that was what he mentioned. So, I'll have to defer to him. Maybe it's wrong. I don't know. >> Yeah. No, if you find something else,
then let me know. But your whole community agreement says the 10th. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Um, all right. With that, um, Chair Joyce, do you have any questions? >> Yeah, I just want to confirm. So, your host community agreement dates back to 2021.
That would have been the one originally done with the prior group that that owned the business. >> Okay. So, when did you sign your host community agreement? >> I believe all the new So, we took over their the membership of their LLC. So, we
didn't there was no I guess we there was an update that was done in order to incorporate I think the um >> you guys did sorry if I can interject just some clarity. They did a change of
ownership back in July 16, 2025. So they did that process. >> Correct. Yeah. I don't think we had to get a separate host agreement because we just took over their their equity >> in back when you did this change of ownership. Did you have a community
meeting then to discuss your hours of operation? >> I don't believe there was any community meeting related to that and our hours didn't hadn't changed at that time. Um, did you have meeting about the change of ownership?
>> I don't think so. >> Do they have to have one, Jasmine? >> No, because the name was the same. It was the same. They just did a reorg. Like, it's still Castle eval. They didn't change any of that. So, >> so just for background, I've said this on other hearings before. I don't see
these requests for changes of ours as a simple it might be one page for you to fill out but to me I think that these have could have great repercussions to the neighborhood. You're only asking for one hour a day but we just heard from another application that was asking for
several more hours a day. So you've been open for four to five months. >> Yes. Our >> seems like a very short period of time to come back and ask for a change of hours. However, given the fact your host community agreement dates back to 2021, there's some balance there that I can
find. I do find your um the graphs that you shared about your sales very very persuasive and helpful um about when your hours when your sales are peaking and stuff, but I guess I'm just saying this to the general public
listening. We are really buttoning up these requests for change of hours. We are getting inundated with them. That doesn't mean um we're not going to hear them, but I have made a decision that I will not be even entertaining applications for these change of hours
unless it meets certain requirements in the future. Um one of them would have been being open or operating and but then we kind of negotiated the fact that you guys had your host community agreement for 2021 haven't had a chance to be open. But my concern is making sure the community is in support of the
change of hours, that the impacts in the community are not negative and that it's not just a matter of making more money. Um, this does seem like a good location to me for something like this. You've demonstrated that your sales are in a certain way, but I do for everyone
listening, I take these very seriously and look at them very closely. Might be a one-page request to change, but to me, I put a lot of thought into them. though um and they take up a lot of our time on our agendas in the last year. So those
are my thoughts. We'll see um you know if the other commissioners have any comments or questions and that's it. >> Commissioner Smith. >> Thank you Jasmine. So have you guys you didn't re-engage community around us at all. We did have a neighborhood meeting
uh through the association and we had the um what was set up by the uh we had the virtual meeting that was required as well. >> Okay. In general, what was the feeling? >> Uh neighborhood uh association um
supported it. Um I guess with the caveat that no neighbors had raised any objections and I'm not aware there were any objections raised. So I I guess that's take it for what it's worth. um you know they there was really has been no real uh community
um we didn't get any kind of feedback that there was there was any issue with the with the request let's put it that way commissioner >> and the graphs that you sent are from the last five months that you've been open >> uh the first graph was December 1st I
believe Susanna and that's a Monday >> track days okay >> I'm sorry >> tracking certain That's a specific day was December 1st, which I guess is a Monday, and December 6th, which is a Saturday. You can you
can certainly see on on the Monday, which I think is um representative is that we have a peak, I think, even as the last gentleman who spoke that we get these peaks at the end of the end of the day, even during the week because people are >> people have less time to to come to the
store because they're busy working most places most times. And so we have a peak coming towards the end of the night. People are rushing to to get their their supplies before the end. Saturday is a little more spread out over the day because the a little less more people
are home and and we can spread out the hours a little bit more. But then again, it's typically the weekend, Friday, Saturday. People people are out later and they want to, you know, a lot of times these products are for for weekend use as well. And so they want to get their supplies, you know, later in the
evening as well. So, um, thank you. >> Thank you, Jasmine. >> Commissioner Kwood, >> thank you, Jasmine. Um, so you mentioned that the uh you have eight employees currently and that they're um in favor
of this for the most part. What What are the impacts on the staffing that you envision would would come from this? Would you be able to hire more people? Would people's current hours just be extended but with the same number of employees? We are actually uh interviewing some
people right now and uh we are going to hire one out of the group. So once the hours are extended then we will definitely need more help. >> Yeah. >> Currently we have we have uh five
full-time employees and three part-time and we are hiring one more full-time. >> So you're hiring one more regardless. And then how many if the hours extension were to be approved, how many additional staff do you think you'd be able to? >> Uh, probably we would do like one or two in the beginning and then see how it
goes. And if we need more help, then we'll hire more. >> Okay. Um, and then I see I know you have a the small lot that's like on site there. Um, what what sort of impacts on traffic in the area do you think would happen from the additional hour? Is it
is it typically like the lots filled up and you have to use street parking around those times or >> No, we usually usually we have also like uh in the back like a a side street where people go and park. It's actually our delivery section where we get the
trucks coming in and delivering products. But uh usually we don't get that you know that many cars at the same time. It's just one group comes leaves and then the second group comes. So, I never seen any traffic disturbances and
I'm usually there most of the time and the parking lot is not that small. Um, I think we >> Yeah, like 15 cars. Yeah. >> And we usually try to serve customers quick so they can be in and out, you know, so there is no um
>> they are not stuck in the store for a long time. >> Okay. And then I noticed on the the like sales graphs you provided, it has the tips thing that says $0. Do you guys not accept tips at your location? >> Well, if the customers want to leave,
then yeah, of course, but we don't mandate them to leave tips. If they want to leave tips, then yeah, we have jars um that they can put in a jar. Um >> but it's just tracked separately from the sales graph. >> Um usually it's not connected to Duchy.
That's okay. Duchy um you know that shows the sales but it's not tips are not connected to Dutch. No. >> Okay. Um those are all my questions. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Thank you Commissioner Gardi.
You have any questions? >> Yes. Hi. Um thanks so much. Uh my question is you mentioned the business that was previously there failed. So can you give me some more insight into why it failed? Uh the reasoning for my question is, you know, yes, you've
caught it and our operation that we're considering, but what is the can you give me some more insight into what specifically led that that business to not do well in that in that area? >> Well, our asking us sort of to sort of do a forensic audit on the prior
ownership. I mean, the prior ownership is the one that that ran the business. And um you know there's any number of reasons why these businesses don't do well whether it's they had a collection of um owners operators that you know I
think they were somewhat dysfunctional. I hate I I don't really didn't really want to air too much of this in a public setting but I think they had some struggles internally as to how how to run the shop and who was really in charge. And so I think with I don't
think it was I don't think it was specific to it's just common uh issues that that any business would have. It's not specific to cannabis specifically that they just didn't have um I guess a great collection of uh okay >> of owner operators to be able to uh you
know it's very difficult. It's a very expensive location. Obviously, the city uh has high rents and so there's a very there's a very short window that you can really hit the ground running and make money and be able to be very nimble, be able to serve your customers and buy the
product at the right price and be able to capture a market. And once you start to start to slip behind that, it's kind of like it's very difficult to catch up unless you keep putting more and more money into these businesses. And at some point, I think the the business owners, you know, decide that they're they just
don't want to keep uh keep funding operations after a while. >> I know I appreciate all of that. I don't mean to air anyone's, you know, laundry here, but I just think, you know, you you did mention that an additional hour operation or change of hours operation would help the business do better than
it previously did. So, I just want to make sure that I'm following up on that line of thought as well. Um, no other questions. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Stoodto. >> No questions. >> All right. With that, we'll move to
public testimony beginning with elected officials or their representatives. >> Madame Chair and Commissioner, Sigy Johnson with the Office of Neighborhood Services. This applicant has completed the community process. Our office initially hosted an abutters meeting regarding this application on July 15th,
2024. That application was apparently abandoned. We hosted a follow-up a Butters meeting on December 15th of 2025 at which no concerns were raised. The applicants met with the Brighton Olston Improvement Association which is in support of this application. And with that background, our office defers
judgment to the board. Thank you. >> Thank you, Sigi. Is there anyone else that would like to provide testimony on this matter? >> All right, seeing no one, the board will take this matter under adisement. >> Great. Thank you, Jasmine. >> Thank you, Jasmine.
>> You're welcome. >> All right. Now, we will move to our new license applications. The first matter we have, the applicant is in Jaga, LLC. The proposed license permits is 11:02A Blue Hill A in Dorchester. They're applying for a marijuana retailer
license. The proposed hours of operation are 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. 7 days a week. This is the equity applicant. They filed the application on June 18th, 2025. They filed with inspectional services on March 15, 2019 and they held their community meeting on September
25th, 2025. Before we hear the presentation, I will ask Akquila Armstrong, who is the cannabis equity program manager, to read the equity certification into the record. >> Thank you, Jasmine, and good afternoon, everyone. Our office was able to certify
Anga LLC as an equity applicant through the documentation submitted by the applicant, Cleon Byron. Mr. Byron is the president and CEO as well as the 51% beneficial interest holder of Enjaga LLC meeting the 51% ownership interest threshold set forth in the ordinance.
Mr. Byron meets the following criteria. One, a person who has resided in Boston for at least the past 7 years. Mr. Byron submitted a proof of residency certificate from the city of Boston's elections department establishing Boston residency from 2011 to 2019.
Additionally, Mr. Byron submitted his renewed driver's license establishing residency in Boston from 2022 to present day. Two, a person who is of black, African-American, Hispanic, Latino, Asian, or indigenous descent. Mr. Byron selfidentifies as black and has provided
his valid driver's license. Three, a person who has been certified by the Cannabis Control Commission as an economic empowerment applicant or as a participant in the Cannabis Control Commission social equity program and is a resident of Boston for at least one of the last three years. Mr. Byron
submitted proof of participation in the CCC's social equity program and has been an approved applicant since March of 2020. He also provided his renewed driver's license as proof of residency for at least one of the last three years. Are there any questions about this certification?
>> Oh, thanks. >> Thank you, Aquila. >> Thank you. >> Who is present on behalf of the lency? >> Hello. Hi, everyone. Cleon Byron here. >> I'm also here as consultant. >> Okay, you guys have 10 minutes. You may
begin. Uh, >> is it okay if I share my screen? >> Yeah, it's already being shared. We see it. I have the presentation on if you want to. >> Yes. Could you please share please? >> Yeah. Yeah, I got it. It's up first
slide. Just tell me when you want to go to the next slide. >> Okay. Uh go to the next slide. Okay. Um I'm sorry Ezra that that's not the right one. I'm so sorry. >> Oh well then I will stop sharing and you can share the one you have.
>> Thank you. What is What do you need, Cleon? Um, I just resent it to you, Ezra. Just uh reopen it for me, please. >> You got it. >> Thank you for your patience. Nothing yet, Cleon.
I I have it if you guys want. >> Yeah. Could you please Thank you. I'm so sorry. >> Yeah. One second. Let me just Yeah, that's it. >> All right. Just let me know when to go forward. >> Thank you. Okay.
Um, thank you everyone. I'm so sorry for this. Uh, my name is Cleon Byron. I'm a Boston native, first generation American, uh, from Caribbean descent. I've been an entrepreneur since I was 27 years old, a networker, a small business
supporter whose goal is to bring about greater social equity in Boston and beyond. I'm a former member of Boston Farm CLT, currently a member of BeckMA and the built the builders of color
coalition and the Urban League of Massachusetts. As a local activist in Dorchester and Roxberry neighborhoods, I focus on uplifting residents, supporting small businesses, creating opportunities for underserved communities. I also host
a radio show called What's Up Boston, which is on WRBB 104.9, where I highlight local talent, uh, local local talent, discuss pressing community issues, and amplify Boston
voices. In addition, I'm in the process of opening a 1102 community event space, a hub for community gathering, adult and youth programs, and cultural events. Community work is the way of life for me
and my family. My family also helped launch the annual Caribbean Carnival, which started in 1971, and a tradition that is still led by friends and family till today. I also host and support local community events like the Roxbury
uh Hood Festival alongside other cultural community gatherings and bring people that bring people together. My unique strength is my use of my wide social network to boost local businesses, support community causes,
host events, and connect people for prosperity. With my big laugh and uh generous spirit, I strive to embody the essence of of a Bostononian while working with every day
uh working every day to strengthen community, the community I serve. Uh, next please. Uh in Jaga's purpose is to strengthen our community, localowned minority businesses, the beautifification of the
location and the block that we're on, uh promoting social justice by teaching classes hopefully in 11:02 Blue for the community and promote diversity and hiring locally. Uh having community
events and positive neighborhood engagements. Um, next please. Um, Injaga is committed to uh, DEI employment and positive impact. As you know of today, uh, DEI is on attack, but
we are committed to, uh, the goal to exceed Boston diversity demographics. Two, we are going to have sign on bonuses for neighborhood residents who are within walking distance uh walking distance and prior and three prioritize
contractor diversity. Last by annual multicultural events honoring employees having DEI and neighborhood events. Uh next please. Uh, in Jaga plans on employing from 10
to 20 people. Uh, these are some of the jobs that we intend to have. Uh, we're starting off with a bud tender, which will be from $17 to $19 depending on experience. Our front desk person, which
will be $17 to $19 depending on experience. Uh, inventory specialist, which will be $17 to $21 depending on experience. a compliance offers which we would want to have experience. So we'll doing anything from 50 to 70K annually.
Uh we will have shift leaders there. Uh they will have the option to be annually or hourly which will be 20 to $24 and 42 to 50k annually. uh assistant managers uh will be you know depending
on experience will be from 50k to 65k and general managers will be 70k to 100k depending on experience as well. The reason why we have the security guard uh with hourly and annually because hourly
we uh might uh have subcontract uh security service but if we have in-house security they will be paid $18 to $20 per hour. We also have a marketing coordinator. Uh hopefully we'll have experience where
we'll be anywhere from 45 to 60K annually and a community outreach and a corporate social responsibility manager as well which will be paid from 55 to 75K annually and we are hoping to employ
10 to 20 people at this location. Next please. Uh community feedback. We've the last couple years we've got numerous letters of support. Uh we've gotten uh a letter of support of state representative China
Tyler. Uh a letter of nonopposition from Brian Warell. Um and we've talked to Greater Matipan, we talked to Lassern Gardens, we talked to uh the Harvard and uh uh Harvard Street associations as
well. and we're willing to talk to many more associations in the area as well. Uh but we did get uh support from uh the Black Network Association and also Blue Hill Lav Association as well. Next, please.
Our proposed retail location will be at 1102A Blue Hill Avenue in Dorchester. Our supposed space will be around 2,000 square feet feet. Uh we live in a dense diverse neighborhood. If you know Doorchester, um we have pretty much
every nationality that you can think of. Uh we're 8 miles from the next dispensary and we're 0.5 miles from any school or any social services in the area. Uh and we're asking or requesting our store hours be from 9:00 a.m. to 900
p.m. Next slide, please. uh where we're located has ample public transportation. Uh we have the Madapan station which is located in Madapan and from the Madipan station we have these
local lines which is the 16, the 22, the 28, the 14 and the 29. And the last time we had asked about blue bikes, we actually have blue bikes literally directly across the street from the location as we speak available now. Uh
we are ADA accessible because we are on the first floor. Uh next slide please. Uh traffic and parking. Uh first advantage dispensary hours are after morning northbound incoming peak hours
of traffic. Advantage two 20% of the dispensary hours are after most shops are closed along allowing curbside parking without disruption to neighboring shops. Advantage three, we have 15 on-site parking spaces with
ample parking uh around the the area and 100 ft behind the building is our parking. Advantage four, we have ample uh trans public transportation and housing nearby to incentivize employees and customers to walk. Uh next slide,
please. Our success as a cannabis dispensary is a direct reflection of our commitment to the surrounding community and this is our security and community safety. Uh rigorous employee training on diversion, crime watch and deescalation.
We will have a custom community stewardship agreement which will customers will come in and sign and this will say I will agree with uh which I'm going to zero tolerance of nuisance literate and public disruption and
the last uh direct communication and contacts with all neighborhood businesses to jo um a good connection with the community and the businesses in the area. Next slide, please.
All right. Our security security policy prevent theft and unauthorized access. Protect employees, consumers, and the public. Security systems redundancy with battery backup.
Inspected and tested every 30 days. 24-hour monitored alarms and internal and external camera surveillance with 100day storage. training on intruder scams, fake ID and emergency procedures.
Uh product security. All marijuana will be stored in lock safe and safe and vaults when not in use. Inventory will be kept out of public view. Disposal will follow state regulations using collecting and rendering waste using the
SOPs. Emergency procedures in place of theft, diversion, and disaster and access and control. Entry will be limited to 21 plus adults with uh
verified ID, limited access areas, restricted to essential personnel only, clearly signed and logged. All employees wear visible ID badges. Visitors must be
escorted, wear a badge, and be logged in and out. Packaging and labeling. All consumerfacing products will use child resistance packaging and plain packaging. No bright colors or cartoon imagery. All
products labeled with warning marks per CCC regulations. Next slide, please. >> Cleon, you are at your 10 minutes. So, if you want to briefly go through your last few slides. Sorry. >> Okay. Can I just go to the closing statements if you don't mind?
>> Sure. >> Oh, sorry. Go to that one. >> This is not on No, it's not on there, but I will say it verbally if you don't mind. >> Sure. >> Okay. Uh, in my closing statements, I would just want to say uh my community
my community lives vicariously through me. Where I come from, failure is common. And not because people lack talent or work ethic, because opportunity is often out of reach. I've seen too many people become statistics.
And I refuse to become one of them. If I fail, it doesn't just affect me. It affects their families, the young people, the future entrepreneurs who are watching to see someone who looks like them truly make it through this process. My family and the people in my community
are also my investors. They believed in me. They put their trust, their time, their hard-earned money into my vision. And I carry that responsibility with me every single day. I want to make sure that they win, too. I'm a father. I'm an
uncle. I'm a son. I'm a godfather. And young people look to me not to just succeed, but to show them what's possible. The responsibility is what keeps me going. The responsibility is why I stay committed, why I follow this
process, and why I I'm standing here today. And Jaga is not just here for a license. And Jaga is here to build jobs, stability, and opportunity in our community that it deserves. And Jaga needs to win, not just for me,
but for the community that it serves. Thank you. Thank you, Cleon. Uh, we will begin with questions and comments from the board members. Begin with Chairwoman Joyce. >> Uh, thank you for your presentation. >> Thank you. >> Um,
I'm My questions were around whether or not there was a buffer zone or how close you were to the school, but you did explain that. I'm going to wait and see if I have any questions after all the other commissioners. >> Thank you. >> Commissioner Kinsley, do you have any questions?
Yeah. Um, so I appreciate the the breakdown of the um like the wage rates um for the employees you intend to have. Um, I mean I'm assuming like you know general manager, marketing coordinator, stuff like that. It would just be one
person, but how many um bud tenders, front desk specialists, in inventory specialists, shift leads, security guards do you envision having for for each of those positions? >> Well, for right now, um with the budenders, they probably be the most.
So, I'm going to say, uh four bartenders at this time. And a lot of the bunders at this time might be doing dual positions. So at this time I think uh uh each position one with the general
two general managers you know because we because it's going to be you know time changing uh uh two probably two of each. >> Okay. And then um you you mentioned the
um 1102 blue community space that you were working on which I'm assuming is like in the same unit or right next door to this one based on the address. >> Yes. >> Um and you mentioned the you envisioned that as a a space for youth programs. I
think could you tell us a little bit more about that because I think if it's if there's a a location right next to the dispensary focused on youth program programs that might be a cause for concern. >> Right. Well, I'm going to say this is more of like a function hall area where
there's going to be like a lot of job training and uh we and we always invented envisioned having cannabis training there as well. Um, it's not going to be like a youth center or anything like that, but sometimes we do
want to be able to have the teens be educated, but which will not we will just support 1102 Blue, but we'll not have anything do with their cannabis thing. We're just going to support the efforts. >> Okay. So, it's more of like a function
hall with maybe some like job training events, but not like specific youth programming. >> Exactly. >> Okay. Um, and then could you talk a little bit more about just like the the transit options in the area? I guess there's
like a couple bus lines that go through. How are those like frequent reliable bus lines? Do you think >> the buses that go from Madapan to Dudley station are free and also we we have Forest Hills to Ashmont. Uh where we at is a very uh um
it's a very busy cross-section of Morton and Blue Hill A. So there's actually a lot of buses that go there because of you know people going from Madapan to downtown for jobs. So the 28 runs all the time. The 28 runs the time. The 22
is like very busy. And we have actually three bus stops located around us. We have uh two on the right and the on the left side and one actually directly across the street from us. >> Okay. And then um you mentioned you want
to kind of make a a special emphasis on the um you know having employees from the area and the the sign on bonus for neighborhood residents. What do you what are your plans to try to like advertise those job positions within the community?
Fortunately, um, uh, I actually have a business in that area already and a lot of our customers are workplaces and we have talked to them and they're actually really great workers and because we're in the community, like our business in
there, we we know a lot of the local people inside the area and they come to us. Uh, uh, I I don't know, I talked about this last time. My family owns a daycare center and a lot of our, you know,
uh, family are our or parents come there looking for jobs or who are really good people and we would like, you know, to hire some of the people in that community as well. >> Okay, that's all I got. Thank you. Thank you, Jasmine. >> Thank you, Commissioner Gandhi. Do you
have any questions? >> Thank you, Jasmine. Um, thank you so much. for a really thorough presentation. I actually don't have any questions right now, but I'm also going to be here to listen to what Nepal will say. Thanks so much again for your very thorough presentation and dedicated
opportunity. >> Thank you, >> Commissioner Smith. >> Thank you, Jasmine. Mist Byron, how many of your employees are going to be part-time?
>> Uh, as of right now, uh, we'll probably, if we have 10, it will probably be three part-time people and seven full-time. >> So, you you were projecting 10 to 20, right? But you're thinking 10 and three are part-time. >> Yes.
What are the other benefits you're providing? >> Um, we will be definitely be providing uh health care and dental and uh if like you say if you live close to the facility, we will provide rides and
also bonuses. So, you know, could help you get home and back from work. So, you can use lift or something for safety. >> What's close, Milton? Where where would you consider close? >> Uh I'm going to say about uh
500 square ft around the area from where we at. So a.5 miles away circular around or no I'll say uh a mile and a half. Sorry. >> And you're thinking most of your employees are going to come from that location?
>> Uh yes. Who are you advertising with? Who are you, how are you recruiting them? >> Um, uh, as I said, I work on the radio station as well. I do social media very well. Um, I also because, uh, we do
employ people in other services that come to me for jobs all the time that those are the people that I've been advertent. I can also use uh the banner or or Dorchester reporter as well. Uh I have a good relationship with them as
well to you know to publicly put it out there so people will go as well. >> Bus bus stops are right around there. How are you thinking about if people are buying product and then going outside towards the bus stop and using and still
in that in your vicinity? That's the That's the reason why I'm going to have the stewardship program is because I'm going to make sure that they don't do that. I think one of the things I'm going to make sure that my security emphasizes that and that's the reason why we doing the stewardship. If we find
you doing anything illegal around that area, you cannot come to the store. You will be disconnected. Your ID will be cancelled because we owe that to the community. So, I will make sure even if I have to go across the street to be like, "Hey, you can't do this over
there." I will to enforce that. >> You How many security officers do you have? >> I'm going to do two security officers >> for the whole building. >> Oh, well, per day. Have two securities on duty per day at a um while working
hours. >> Nine to nine too. every day. >> Yeah. Yes. >> And they're monitoring inside and outside. >> Inside and outside. Have one in one that can monitor the front can check the IDs and another one who can actually walk
around and check the parking area and make sure that everything's okay. >> Okay. Are you in contact with the police station that's right there? I've uh I have talked to um
uh officer. They just got a new captain. I talked to the old captain, but they just got a new captain. I haven't talked to him as yet, but I've asked Russell Holmes to introduce me to him recently.
I just had a call with him four days ago, and I asked him for for him to introduce me to him personally. Okay. you two more questions. You have a CSR manager which you said is a um corporate social responsibility.
Do you have some sort of plan to for the community that you're working on? Community benefits plan? I don't see anything written about that. >> Um thank you for that. But I do have I don't have it written up, but I do have
us reinvest in the community. Uh the community that we're around is actually we have a really older elderly community and I've I've personally help fix drains, clean their apartments. So we're definitely going to do a rideways of
community engagement and they also have a community farm over there where I actually brought bring soil and help a lot of the elderly bring things. So, and >> so you have >> you also hold events Cleon. You hold many events there for the community as
you always have year after year. >> So you sorry about that. So you have relationship with and also sort of formalizing ways to help the elderly community and the gardens and all of that. One of the reasons why I
wanted the community event space is to be able to have a place where I can organize it a little bit better and a place we can group up and be like, "Hey, what do we need to get done? How do we get it done?" And sometimes I got to, you know, and you got to train people how to get things done because they
don't know. So, it's a place where I can actually use all my resources. I can train you, show you what you need to do, bring resources all in one place so we can take care of that area, >> which is the function hall where you have the carnival events. >> Yeah.
>> Okay. Sometimes the kitties there, too. >> Okay. >> I know. Um the mockup of your retail space that you gave us looks very casual. >> Yes.
>> With the balloons and Can you explain a little bit more? It doesn't look It looks like I could just walk in and grab >> Oh. Um, >> your mockup looks very casual. >> Yeah. >> Well, um, because, you know, um, designs
change with architectural plans and we're we're kind of on a limited budget to be honest. Um, we I will send you a more uh mockup updated version. Yeah.
Retail space. >> Usually we get a kind of clearer view of the retail space and how it functions, but this just looks like two ropes with balloons and somebody standing there. >> It it it was just more of a a a face picture thing. I totally understand what
what you mean. And uh I will provide more of that information if you give me a chance in the next couple days so you can have it and take a better look at what it would look like. That would be fantastic. Thank you, sir. >> You, Commissioner Sto.
>> Thank you, Jasmine. I um have you had a a community meeting? Um you know, I know you said you had uh spoken with the abuters, but have you had a formal community meeting? Um what was the response there? Um and in
addition to the one that is required, what what other um meetings have you held or or feedback have you received? >> Um I've I've held probably I'll say six community meetings in that
area over the last two to three years. Um I've I've gotten uh really good feedback. Uh everybody's excited because uh they want to see something done with that building because it has not been in
great condition over the years and they're excited about something new and something where they could kind of just see beautifification of the area. Um
I haven't got I haven't I've really got positive impact from uh I've talked to Greater Matipan from Woodro from Lassern Gardens which are all like surrounding that location and uh they're just more kind of like
are you really going to do something? Are you going to do something? But I've gotten really good feedback and they're just anxious to see something happens. Okay. Thank you. And then in regards to the um I I I want to commend you for the
target goal of 100% Boston residents. I do I I think I really appreciate that and you know I think that shows the um evidence of your passion for the community. Um
I want to just touch on kind to to um to Commissioner Smith's point. you know, I I think there is a lot of power and um opportunity that rests just within your own uh network. Um but also making sure
that you allow for you know a process to play out where you can then kind of gather even more you know applicants in order to to to make the best selection for your business I think is important as well. um and also opening that
opportunity up to uh additional folks from Boston who you know may be a great fit who might be in you know two blocks from you but have no idea that it's um you know in the process. So I do encourage you to look at those um v um vehicles to market the positions as
well. Um, and the other question I in speaking of someone who might be two blocks from you, how would you um to to again back to the point that Council Smith raised is like how do you measure the walkability factor because I I think
it's a very innovative and and strong um benefit concept to to incentivize um that. So I just if you could talk a little bit more about that about that specifically. Um we would probably we would make some deals and actually make
some discounts where you get five or 10% off and the more you come and you and you walk there uh I don't know sometimes uh you've seen in some place where they give um cards and they you know clip the cards for you know for patrons or
consumers who come in often and that be a way and then also too because we have a lot of retail uh locations inside the area, we'll probably get uh we want to get gift cards and stuff from them local uh like Nick's Pizza,
uh Ali's Roti, these places where they can get a gift card from us and it be like a couple percentage off and also helping them go to those locations and hopefully uh make them purchase things while they're there as well.
Okay, that that's helpful. Thank you. >> All right, any other questions, comments from the board members? >> Not at this time for me. >> All right, we will move to public testimony beginning with elected officials, other representatives.
>> Madame Chair and Commissioner C. Johnson with the Office of Neighborhood Services. This applicant has completed the community process. Our office hosted an abut butters meeting on September 25th, 2025. There were positive comments at the meeting regarding job creation. There were also comments made at earlier
meetings that had concerns related to the suitability of the location and the general condition of the properties, but there were also supporters present at those meetings. The applicant has met with the Greater Manipan Neighborhood Council. Our office understands they have not chosen to weigh in formally, but uh the applicant has been in a
dialogue with them. And with that background, our office defers judgment to the board. Thank you. >> Thank you. See, is there anyone else that would like to provide testimony? >> Yes, I am here. Can you hear me? >> We can hear you. Can you just state your
name and address and if you >> Hello, my name is My name is Gerald Dory, 26 Hildra Street in Dorchester. Um, I work personally with Mr. Cleon Byron and he didn't have a chance to
give you a scope of what we do, but I also co-host the What's Up Boston radio show. It's been on the air in the city of Boston for over 25 years. Um, Mr. Cleon is someone that I hold in high regard because everything this man does
is geared towards our community. We work hand in hand to have community empowerment events. We hosted one in October called Unity in the community at Roxbury Heritage Park. We gave our guests a tour of Roxbury Heritage Park
because a lot of people don't know how pivotal Roxbury was in the Revolutionary War. Also at Union Community, I work with a lot of nonprofits personally. We had a biotech program there. We had a engineering program there. We have
people who are doing food drives. Um lastly to close out the year we also did a celebration of Kwanza uh Kuwa day of feasting event which I was me Cleon and our brothers at what's up Boston also
work towards. I'm going to be quick with you but he didn't have a chance to really give you the scope that he has ingrained in this community. But when he says his community is living vicariously through him, we are because we want to see Anaga opened. I grew up in Madapam.
And Jaga is right down the street from where I grew up. And when I was growing up, we had we had Tes. We had a lot of black blackowned hair hair shops. We had barber shops. That strip of Manipino and Blue Hill AB is on its dying legs. So, I
am going to issue a challenge to you, the cannabis commission, because this man has been on this journey for four years now. This is the third time he has presented to you guys. I'm going to issue a challenge to you to help us to get ina started so we can revitalize not
only that strip of Blue Hill A but Matipan and Dorchester itself and to also create jobs and opportunities for the members of our community because that is what Cleon has dedicated his life to. Okay. So,
>> thank you for two minutes. >> Okay. Am I at my two minutes? >> Yes. >> Okay. I would like to close with that with a challenge to you guys to get Andaga opened up. >> Thank you. Is there anyone else that would like to provide testimony?
>> Yes. Say uh peace and blessings to the to the commission. Uh my name is Charles B. Green. I've been on this journey with um oh I'm sorry, Charles B. Green thei, residents of Roxberry uh street of Clifford Street. Um I've been on this
journey with um Leon not from the beginning but since the beginning you know not from the very um I've been at all his meetings in support of um I don't need to go back because Mr. uh Gerald spoke how he is uh embedded
inside the community and committed to his community. So me being one of the founders of Fathers in Need, you know, uh he is actually an active member inside. Uh he hosted a couple of father events at 11:02 and he donated the space
because we are a uh we are an organization that you know we provide resources and he opened his doors as a resource and he he encourages us to do more at 11:02 when it finally gets back up and running. And you don't have that
type of uh uh commitment nowadays to the community that's authentic. And this brother here is authentic when he's talking about, you know, providing jobs inside the community, providing education inside the community,
providing different resources. Um he's there, you know, I I happen also to be a co-host on what's up Boston. So you can see that his uh his community is there in support of him and I I hope that this
time around third times a charm, you know, uh let's let's make it happen for Mr. Byron and the wonderful things that he's hoping to bring to the Blue Ho A area and community. Thank you. >> Thank you. Is there anyone else that
would like to provide testimony? All right. Seeing no one, the board will take this matter under advisement. Thank you. All right. Um, again, number four, item number four on the agenda. Amad LLC will be rescheduled to a later date if anyone
joined late. I said that at the beginning as well. Um, the last matter we have, the applicant is New Growth LLC. The proposed license permits is 100 to 104 Business Street, number five, also known as 161 Reservation Road in
High Park. The license type is a marijuana delivery operator license. The proposed hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. 7 days a week. This is an equity applicant. They filed their application on March 5th, 2025. They filed with inspectional services on
January 26, 2025. And they held their community meeting on October 23rd, 2025. There is a buffer zone conflict with another marijuana establishment. Before we hear the presentation, I will ask Akquila to read the equity certification into the record.
>> Thank you, Jasmine. Good afternoon again. Our office was able to certify New Growth LLC as an equity applicant through the document documentation submitted by the applicant Caleb Matias. Mr. Matias is CFO and 51% beneficial interest holder of New Growth LLC
meeting the 51% ownership interest threshold set forth in the ordinance. Mr. Matias meets the following criteria. One, a person who has resided in an area of disproportionate impact as Divi as defined by the Cannabis Control Commission or the CCC for at least five
of the last 10 years. Mr. Matia submitted bank statements establishing residency in Randolph from 2018 to 2023 and the city of Randolph has been designated as an area of disproportionate impact per CCC guidelines. Number two, a person who is
a black, African-American, Hispanic, Latino, Asian or indigenous descent. Mr. Matias self identifies as African-American and has provided a valid driver's license. Number three, a person whose annual house household
income is or at is or below 100% of the area median income for their city or town. Mr. Matias resides in Randolph and has provided his offer letter and a summary of his 2025 payment history. His household size is one and his annual
household income is at or below 100% of the area median income for the town of Randolph. Are there any questions about this certification? Thank you, Akila. >> Thank you. >> Who is present on behalf of the applicant? >> Hello, Quinn Heath here on behalf of New
Growth LLC along with the owners Caleb Matthysse and Mo Taha. >> Okay. Um, you can share your screen. You will have 10 minutes. >> Got it. Is the screen share working? >> It I see it says screen sharing, but it's blank. I don't see the
presentation. >> Let me try one more time. I'm not sure. Says I'm sharing, but I'm not. Can I send it to you, >> Caleb? Jasmine. >> Yep. Do I have the latest presentation?
>> You do. That would be super helpful. Thank you. >> Let me just pull it up. All right. Can everyone see that? >> Yes. Thank you so much. >> Just let me know when to move forward. >> Great. All right. Thank you to the board
for the opportunity to present on behalf of New Growth LLC, who's excited to propose an independentlyowned and owner operated social equity delivery operator in the Hyde Park neighborhood. I'm here this afternoon with Mo Taha and Caleb
Matthysse, who are the two joint proposed owners of the business. My name's Quinn Heath. I'm an attorney who's helping with this application and representing them for purposes of today, but I'd like to note that they've been super actively involved in doing their own community outreach and have had
several meetings with the community up to this point. I look forward to letting them introduce themselves, but first I'm just going to go through a couple of quick visuals so the board and the public can understand the project and the scope that we're talking about. On the screen right now, you'll see a
photo of the entrance to the proposed facility. This is a single unit within a shared lot. So, past this gate, which would be closed after 6:00 p.m. each day. There are several units and closed garages.
Uh, New Growth, sorry, New Growth LLC would be renting one of those garages and several parking spots within that enclosed space. Uh this is going to be a delivery operator license. That means that product would be stored on site, packed
into delivery vans, and then delivered directly to consumers. However, there wouldn't be any direct retail or consumer access to this facility. It would only be open to those who are working for the business as delivery agents or onsite as security and
monitoring the GPS and route management. As you can see, this is the single entrance to the lot. All the vehicles would go in and out through this entrance. And this is located us off of Reservation Road. If you could take us
to the next slide. Thank you. So, as you can see on this slide, the location better. This is located near Richie in Hyde Park. It's also located across the Reservation Road Park from the Fellowship Christian Church. And as I s
showed the picture here, you can see the entrance off of Reservation Road. That is the driveway that goes into this site. Uh I want to pause just to note two buffer zone conflicts that were raised through the application process and
respond to those. So first of all, the Fellowship Christian Church, as I mentioned, contains both a daycare and a school. New Growth LLC is seeking a variance and exception from the school and daycare buffer zone requirements on
the basis that the reservation road park consists of two impassible barriers including the water uh river feature there and the train tracks. We have a surveyed site plan that shows that the pedestrian walking distance between the
two sites is a minimum of 800 ft. Further and responding to there's two potential marijuana establishments that have an approval that could consist of a buffer zone conflict under the board's regulations. Those consist of the Bean Collective
LLC, which previously applied for and received a host community agreement at this precise location for a delivery operator establishment. It's our understanding that this establishment has now been leased to my client who's going to be moving forward
there. But in any event, these would both be small delivery only operations out of this lot that can support multiple businesses. The other potential buffer zone conflict is with Suite 420 Wellness LLC, which I
understand to be approximately 2,270 ft to the northeast. that holds a retailer and delivery operator approval to my understanding. Regardless of those buffer zone conflicts, this is going to be a small
business that's going to be actually run the vans are going to be run by its owners to begin. We feel this serves a very different market as it's a deliveryon operator. It's not an add-on to a retail license and we feel that the impacts on the community in contrast to
the number of licenses that Boston is required to approve will be a net benefit. Uh we can move to the next slide. So I'd like to introduce the new growth team. Now New Growth's owned by Caleb Matthysse who has a 51% stake in the
business and Motah who owns 49% of the company. I'll give them just a minute to introduce themselves. >> Yes. Um, thank you for having us. Uh, my name is Caleb Matthysse. I'm the 51% owner uh of New Growth LLC. Um, I've
been a social equity applicant in Massachusetts since 2020. Also been a social equity applicant in the state of Maryland since 2024. Um, I'm a co-owner in a a medical cannabis company in Alabama called
Jasper Development. Um, I've had numerous amount of experience in uh cannabis and cannabis licensing. Um, also um working with consulting groups on, you know, um different type of licenses. So, I'm very familiar with
this process. Um, and also in cannabis And did Mo want to introduce himself? >> Yes. Hello. U Mo Taha and um I'm a Boston resident. I've been a Boston since 1988.
I'm I'm uh currently around a car service, but I've uh started Watertown Taxi in 2002. And uh that's strictly community service uh except for profit. I was involved a
lot with the uh Watertown uh uh council for Asia involved with them with gift certificates as far as their uh birthday parties for the elderly. I've hired
mostly water town drivers and wam. So basically I would do the same thing in in H High Park. I would only hire people from the community since it's a delivery business. So they'll be more knowledgeable in the area and we'll give
them opportunities to work and uh have more opportunities. I have handled liquor licenses and tobacco licenses more than one or two and luckily never a
violations. I have I do comply again the cab drivers they only they always need to be uh not inspected but to be licensed by the police station. So I've I've done a lot of business with the
police station on a regular basis. I am familiar with with licenses. So I'll be good, you know, running that business in that way. And as far as the community, I'm a huge part. I always uh work with
the community in mind. And thank you for your time. >> Thank you. We could go to the next slide, please. All right. So, as I described previously, this is an ideal location for a delivery operator license. It will not have any impact on street parking
and has a dedicated driveway for entrance and exit of delivery vehicles. The site can be fully closed and secured overall at night, although cannabis product will be stored within a locked garage that is inspected for security
and I'll talk about on a further slide. Uh view of the facility is also relatively discreet which is a positive. Although there is the church and the school and daycare across the park. Uh the natural resources fencing trees
block any view from the outside of the establishment. >> I'm sorry not to interrupt you, but I don't see anything in your memo or anywhere else new materials except for a sentence or two about the school. Could you just share the name of the school? Yes, it's my >> look it up on a map.
>> Yeah, it's my understanding it's associated with and contained in the Fellowship Christian Church. I'd like Boston Renaissance um school. >> Okay. Not I'm sorry to interrupt you, but I was I've been I want to be able to pay attention, but I didn't see enough
and we'll need we'll need a survey for that. Yes, we it's uh it's my understanding they're located in the same building and we can provide the survey and if it's not sufficient, we're happy to supplement with further information.
>> Uh so yes, and then the daycare is definitely associated with the church. It's registered as a licensed daycare, but it's located within that building is my understanding. Uh we can go on to the next slide. Thank you.
So this the scope of this project's intended to be small but scalable. Mo and Caleb intend to be active participants and employees from day one and they'll be participating in most of the initial deliveries themselves. Actually operating the vans or working
in the business from the dayto day. They'll have two to three delivery vans when they begin operations. Each of which will need at least one agent to staff it. And then they will also plan to have at least one additional employee during business hours who's on site
who's managing the delivery routes and watching the security of the site. Uh managing and just observing just being there as an additional resource. Uh they're going to as they grow they'll they'll buy additional vans. This is a
social equity business that qualifies for state grant funds. So once they're able to build out, they'll be able to park more vans within that parking area. They'll be able to negotiate for more parking outside of the locked garage with their landlord as they grow, but
that garage gives them plenty of space to have a secured storage location and to to pull in and load delivery vans. We can move to the next slide. So New Growth is going to employ state-of-the-art security at this site.
It's going to be monitored by a dedicated employee during all working hours. The site's going to be refit with perimeter alarms, cameras, duress alarms, and other security features that are standard for cannabis operators. In addition, as a delivery operator,
there's specific requirements that they'll be following in order to ensure that there's safe and secure deliveries at all times. Those include body cameras, secure lock boxes that are for cannabis and cash separately in the vehicles, cameras within the vehicles
and dash cam footage, a GPS system that assigns routes randomly so they can't be predicted by bad actors, and the ability to monitor the location of any vehicles from a fixed site. These delivery agents are going to be trained on how to operate deliveries in a secure manner,
including procedures on what to do on how to uh during a mechanical incident or a breakdown and how to check consumer ID. All consumer IDs are going to be checked twice. Once before the delivery is made using online verification and
then again at the site of delivery. We can move to the next slide please. uh new growth is also dedicated to preventing diversion to miners. Uh no deliveries are going to take place without that identification of ID and every product is going to be tracked
seed to sale. So if there is any diversion that product can be tracked immediately to the source. Can we move to the next slide please? So I'd just like to note again this is an independently owned business with a small team. uh they're planning on
building slowly their their employment base. That said, New Growth intends to hire at least 75% of its employees as Boston residents with a specific focus on the neighborhood of Hyde Park. Hyde Park is a accessible to employees by
public transit through both the commuter rail and I believe the 32 bus which connects the location to Jamaica plane. Those are both located within a half mile and the bus stop is within 10 minutes. >> Um,
>> you are at your 10 minutes if you want to just >> Yeah, I've got two sentences and uh I can answer any questions. Thank you. Uh, new growth plans to post job postings on the Cannabis Control Commission's Equity Works job board to promote diverse hiring and they will be building out
diverse hiring goals as they build their size of their team. They'll also be hosting annual workshops on criminal record expungement and sealing for those with ex uh criminal records relating to cannabis. Finally, New Growth intends to
track the Boston Living wage of 1878 an hour as a starting point for its delivery drivers. And with that, I think the final slide is just to turn to questions. Thank you. And thank you for the technical assistance again.
>> That's okay. Uh we will start with questions, comments from the board members beginning with chairw. >> Yeah, my my concerns and questions are around the school. Um I guess I'll reserve th those questions
and comments until I get uh more information from you guys on that. We'll certainly submit as much information as we can on the school and the the district officials. >> Commissioner Kinsley. >> Yeah. Um could you go into your hiring
plan a little bit more? So you said that you're you plan on hiring one agent per delivery van. Is that just like with with the idea because the two co-owners will be operating the first two that you'll hire one additional per van?
>> So, right now, and Mo Caleb, feel free to weigh in, but we've asked for hours of operation that are relatively expansive at 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., but I don't believe that'll actually be at the beginning. How I I think they'll be targeting the delivery hours depending on what it the market looks
like and when deliveries are going to be most marketable. I think that it no Early on, they'll be hiring a few part-time employees in order to fill out the schedule and meet the requirements. And then as they grow, the plan would be to have a team of around eight, seven to
nine at the maximum. And that would be after they have around six to eight delivery vans on site. Uh, as far as hiring, they're going to be posting to there's an equity job board specifically to promote hiring in areas that have been disproportionately
impacted by the war on drugs and to promote diverse hiring. They'll also be using local newspapers uh in order to post jobs. And really to start, they're not planning on hiring a ton of people. It'll just be a small team of about three for the first few
weeks. And I think um also um according to our um community meetings, some of the individuals or the residents uh in the community also had concerns about u too many vans um going through uh the
business street um u location. So um we were also were thinking about hiring small at first because of that reason and working with the community. Um and it really just depends on um how our you know uh delivery amount of deliveries we
get and how we can uh more look to hire and we look to hire more uh into the community because we look to uh better the community and um and you know prosper within the community as a business. >> Okay. But your your plan is to keep it
as just at just one driver per vehicle at all times. >> Uh right now yes. >> And then ex except from uh when we go into our location, we're going to need um people to load the vans and there needs to be a security personnel um to
look over uh the location while people are out doing deliveries. >> So, how how many people would you envision are working like inside the facility packing orders and getting ready to stock the van at any given time? >> So, there probably is going to be two people. Uh there's going to be two vans.
So, there's going to be two people, two people, one person for each van. Uh, two people in the facility and then one security personnel. So, at um at the beginning, we're looking at like five people. So you you just have like two people on
staff total who are working inside the facility, but you might not have both of them >> working the same shift at any given time >> or you you'd have five people on the clock at any given time. >> Yeah. Five people on the clock at any given time. >> Okay. >> So two people two people in and then one
security personnel. >> And then what would you imagine the like part-time full-time split of your total employee base would be? Um probably half and half um for the beginning uh depending on uh and then we
can look for more depending on how many or orders that we get. >> Okay. And then so you're starting them at um $1878 or an hour and following the the Boston Living Wage ordinance. Um
what other benefits are you planning to provide? um really um transportation um to the facility. I know the commuter rail um it's right um probably um half a block
from our location and also um the MBTA um is right down the street from our same amount distance um in the square. Um so um commuter rail passes um bus passes toward our location. Um if our um
um employees do not drive to the location, um we look to have um any any any supplemental um um you know ideas that we um will gather while we're
we're uh improving on our business um toward full-time employees like dental, healthcare. um will also um you know look to do that also. >> Okay. So you might you might try to expand that but you probably wouldn't be able to provide that at the start.
>> Yeah, probably not at the start. Yes. Um okay. Um, that's all I have for now. Thank you. >> Thank you, Commissioner Smith. >> Thanks, Jasmine. No, I I don't I Thank you,
>> Commissioner Sto. >> All right. Thanks, Jasmine. Um, couple of questions. Um, have you, uh, outside of the community meeting, have you spoken with, um, the local elected officials in the area?
Yep. Caleb or do you want to speak to that? We received a letter of non-opposition from councelor Pipon. Do you have any other discussions, Caleb? >> Yeah. Um we've um I know Mo talked to his local senator. Um they were looking
to send in a um letter of support um to the board. um u talking to um um you know other local officials um and we'll we'll kind of follow up with the board um about um those letters and support
that um can be given after this meeting. >> Okay. Yeah, I think that would just be really helpful um uh in order to kind of have a better sense of the um initial uh feedback or impact from
that that the elected officials would uh foresee and I think that's that's a helpful sort of marker for us. >> So our community meetings u we had two community meetings with the High Park association. Um the first one um
people were you know for it and against it. Um so they decided to have another meeting after that and then um we've gotten uh a letter of non-opposition from them. Um u and uh after one of the
councilmen's um personnel was in that meeting and they got their feedback and then they gave the letter of non-opposition also. Um so there was both um you know uh for it and against it in both the community um uh meetings
>> and I Yes. >> Um as far as um uh any reflections of th those who uh any like um examples of reasons why folks were for or against?
>> Yeah. Um, like I said, um, there was one person on our, uh, Boston community meeting that, uh, she had concerns about how many, um, vehicles were going to be going through business street. >> Um, and then, you know, clogging, um,
the traffic, how much of a traffic jam that would have made. >> Um, but as we told them, as we told her, um, you know, we're only planning to have two vans at at Stark. Um, so we don't plan to give more traffic um than
than is probably um would any other business be given. And we're in a warehouse. So the um the people that own the warehouse could potentially um put people in there that have Bach trucks um other larger vans. Our vans are going to
be way smaller. They're going to be like the Ford the white Ford vans that you see on the truck on um the streets. they're going to be way smaller than any other business that would come into the area and then probably clog the the streets and uh create way more traffic.
Um other concerns um I guess there wasn't really other uh you know niche um concerns other than you know some people were against cannabis and you know but um but yeah.
>> Okay. Uh, and for and those who were in support, any specific reasons why they supported or >> Yeah. Um, well, as I said, um, some people said, um, well, there's only one cannabis shop, uh, in High Park right
now that's open. I know there's other ones that are being proposed, um, but, uh, there's only one um, shop that's open. Um, so more uh, you know, uh, products can be out there. people supported that. Um, and that was kind of
one of the main um, you know, only um, you know, supporting ideas that people had. >> Okay. >> But yeah. >> Okay. >> Go ahead. >> I was just going to add I think they also support that this was a business with two people who were actually involved who are going to be the owners
who are going to be participating in the day-to-day. I think that was seen as a positive. >> Yeah. No, I definitely see that. Um, and okay. And then I want to turn to the school question because I I I so I you know and I I also am a resident in High
Park and and actually live very close to um the location. Um and so the school that's there is a very large school that's uh you know uh I don't think it's K to 12, but it might be 5 to 12. Um it is the the Boston
Renaissance school. The only thing that's happening there from the fellowship space is they have Sunday school uh for a few hours. So, um that being said, I don't necessarily I, you know, I understand the neighborhood as I do and especially with the bridge being closed, I drove by that school many
times. Um and I don't necessarily see there being uh concern and I and it, you know, and the fact that the High Park Neighborhood Association didn't flag that as a concern, I think is is also um evidence of that. Um, but I just want to make sure folks are fully understanding the community around them, right? And
and and and so, you know, that's a very very large school that has made a a big impact. Um, traffic being one of them. Uh, and I think it's something to be aware of and I hope that that in the supplemental materials following this
meeting, you can help to fill in those gaps for for the rest of the board who, you know, don't may not be as aware of of that school there. Um >> yeah. Yeah. I'm um yeah, sometimes I drive through there when um during school getting out. Um some I know
there's a large traffic jam going across that bridge. Um a lot of the times um you know there's other routes u going down uh reservation road and that's actually the road that we're actually on. uh going toward, you know, Milton um
going toward the other side of High Park. Um you know, and then there's the the street uh going uh you know, northbound toward um reservation road um at the traffic lights um that we can go by. Um so there there's uh you know
other routes um that and then going toward the other side toward that um that we can go by um during high traffic um you know periods and then especially us as a delivery operator you know we don't want to be stuck in traffic you know that that that cuts off our you
know profit margin. So um you know uh the good thing you know when business and the community wants you know meet together because we don't want that also you know we don't want to be stuck in traffic. Um so we definitely understand
and we'll provide that toward the board um as um you know thing to be resolved. >> Great. Yeah that that would be great. And then question sort of the the the part B to that question is what is your
uh what is the delivery uh uh uh uh um kind of like uh what do you call it like the area uh perimeter that you would be considering um as you get started with two drivers? Yeah, I think um you know,
High Park into Roslandale um you know uh into Dorchester those type of areas. I know um you know certain areas that we might not be according to you know state regulations we might not be able to go into you know
denim and can um but um you know kind of surrounding areas of Boston that we're focused on. >> Okay. Oh my god. All right. And then um uh Okay. So, we said deliveries. Uh
I had one more question. Hold on. Oh. Have you had any contact with the um with the other delivery uh uh uh um ly um that would be what is it across the
street or around the corner? Well, uh, according to, um, um, the realtor that own that works with the owner of 100 Business Street, um, the Bean Collective, um, they were in our same
location. Um he he got contacted by them um like a month or a month and a half ago or two months ago um asking um if they can um rent another space in 100 Business Street and um he said that he
wouldn't do that because we're there now. Um so they they told him that they're going to be going, you know, finding another location um that's not in 100 Business Street. um according to him um and we'll send you the you know
uh u emails and you know documentation that he has confirmed that um so yes. >> Okay. Yeah, that's helpful because I I couldn't quite understand how that was going to work. Okay. Uh I think that's all my questions. Thank you, Jasmine.
>> Yep. And just to add um more color to that that Bean Collective did not renew their host community agreement for the following year. So they're actually no longer active with us in our system. So they actually don't have we don't have two businesses in the same location
anymore. >> Thank you. >> All right. Any follow-up questions from the board members? No. We will move to public testimony beginning with elected officials or their representatives. >> That work. So >> good afternoon. City Johnson with the
office of neighborhood services. This applicant has completed the community process. Our office hosted an abutters meeting on October 23rd of 2025 at which concerns were raised about traffic and parking. The butter stated that the street is narrow and was concerned about incoming deliveries that might be on the
larger vehicle blocking the street. The applicants have also met with the hide park neighborhood association and they're in non-opposition to this application. That background, our office defers further judgment to the board. Thank you. >> Thank you, Sigi. Is there anyone else
that would like to provide testimony? All right, seeing no one, the board will take this matter under advisement. Thank you. All right, those were all the matters before the board today. The board's voting meeting will take place next Wednesday, January 28th at 1 p.m. Again,
the record will be kept open until Monday, January 26 at 5:00 p.m. You can send any additional correspondence to the cannabis board at bboston.gov. Thank you all for attending today's hearing and enjoy the rest of your day.