►
Description
The Boston Cannabis Board hearing for public testimony on the Draft Rules & Regulations for the Cannabis Board.
A
B
I'd
like
to
introduce
commissioner
john
smith,
commissioner
lisa
holmes,
and
commissioner
darlene
lombos
we're
here
today
to
talk
about
the
boston
cannabis
board's
role
in
the
legalization
of
marijuana.
As
you
know,
in
2016
massachusetts
residents
voted
to
legalize
the
recreational
use
of
marijuana
every
single
neighborhood
across
the
city,
with
the
exception
of
juan
voted
in
favor
of
legalization.
B
Today's
hearing
is
not
about
whether
or
not
marijuana
should
be
legal.
This
is
about
ensuring
that
the
needs
of
the
applicants
and
the
neighborhoods
are
taken
into
consideration
as
these
businesses
open
up
throughout
the
city.
Our
role
in
this
process
is
to
approve
marijuana
applicants
and
to
ensure
the
process
is
fair
and
transparent.
A
A
Please
note
this
is
a
hearing
to
take
public
comments
on
the
draft
rules
and
regulations
that
have
been
promulgated
by
the
board.
Testimony
will
be
limited
to
those
draft
rules
and
regulations.
Testimony
on
the
industry
in
general,
specific
operations
or
previous
pending
or
future
applications
will
not
be
accepted
by
the
board.
A
A
You
will
be
asked
to
limit
the
length
of
your
testimony
to
three
to
five
minutes
and
to
submit
a
written
copy
of
your
remarks
to
ensure
that
all
parties
have
the
ability
to
testify.
Today
again,
when
you
are
called
to
testify,
you
will
be
asked
to
state
your
name,
your
address
and
what
company
or
organization,
if
any
you
are
affiliated
with,
as
well
as
what
specific
portion
or
portions
of
the
draft
rules
and
regulations
you
are
addressing,
so
that
the
commissioners
can
properly
direct
their
attention.
A
It
is
important
to
note
that
the
board
does
not
give
more
weight
to
one
kind
of
testimony
over
another.
For
example,
written
testimony
is
given
same
amount
of
weight
as
an
individual
who
is
here
today
to
testify.
Virtually
chairwoman
joyce
will
now
speak
to
several
issues
that
we
have
seen
come
up
in
the
comments
received
to
date.
B
Thanks
leslie,
I
wanted
to
jump
in
to
the
rules
and
regulations
and
point
out
two
sections
that
we've
received
very
thoughtful
comments
on
and
to
address
them
at
the
outset.
The
first
is
the
several
categories.
The
first
is
the
evaluating
the
application
according
to
the
ordinance
and
giving
25
of
the
potential
100
score
to
the
diversity
and
inclusion
plan.
B
These
draft
rules
in
no
way
eliminate
that
requirement.
However,
when
setting
the
50
minimum
score
for
the
other
criteria,
we
have
been
advised
against
imposing
a
minimum
diversity
requirement
on
applicants,
but
we
will
continue
to
use
an
applicant's
diversity
and
inclusion
plan
as
an
important
factor
in
scoring
the
application.
B
Again,
I
want
to
reiterate
we're
committed
to
ensuring
equity
and
adhering
to
the
intent
of
the
ordinance.
The
other
section
that
produced
several
comments
is
the
buffer
zone.
So
there
are
two
buffer
zones,
the
rules
and
regulations.
One
is
the
half
mile
buffer
zone
and
the
other
one
is
the
500
foot
school
zone
buffer
zone.
These
are
really
two
distinct
creatures
of
zoning.
The
school
buffer
zone
is
state
law
and
some
subsequently
built
into
our
zoning
code
and
the
it
has
to
be
treated
differently
than
the
half
mile
buffer
zone.
B
The
draft
rules
address
the
variance
process
for
buffer
zone
conflict
in
the
in
this
situation
and
will
take
additional
comments
under
advisement
I'm
open
to
reconsidering
the
process,
the
heightened
scrutiny,
requirements
that
have
been
written
into
the
draft
rules
and
regulations
for
variants,
including
the
proposed
requirements
of
letters
to
support
from
the
directive.
Utters.
A
lot
of
these
rules
and
regulations
were
modeled
after
the
rules
and
regulations
for
liquor
licensing.
So
that
was
our
starting
point
again.
These
are
drafts
and
we're
in
we're
intending
to
solicit
feedback
and
continue
the
dialogue
on
these
issues.
B
The
half-mile
buffer
zone
between
establishments
is
different
from
the
school
buffer
zone,
which
prohibits
a
license
from
being
issued
within
a
within
500
feet
from
an
established
school
that
provides
education
for
grades
k
through
12..
We've
received
a
lot
of
comments
on
this
section
as
well.
This
is
a
very
distinct
and
separate
issue.
B
The
school
buffer
zone
was
created
by
state
legislation
and
is
written
into
the
massachusetts
general
laws.
Massachusetts,
general
law
94-g
governs
the
regulation
of
recreational
cannabis
and
then
section
5b3
specifically
addresses
the
sighting
of
an
establishment
within
a
school
zone.
We
as
a
board
do
not
have
the
ability
to
change
the
school
zone.
B
A
A
Additionally,
it
is
important
to
note
the
change
to
buffer
to
the
school
buffer
zone
under
state
law
would
have
to
be
city-wide.
It
could
not
be
applied,
as
the
chairwoman
said,
on
a
case-by-case
basis,
and
those
statements
were
simply
to
ensure
that
all
parties
wish
to
testify
understand
what
specifically
we
are
considering
today,
and
what
this
board
has
no
control
over.
B
B
A
A
Okay
with
that,
we
will
turn
to
the
individuals
who
have
requested
to
testify
in
order
again,
your
testimony
will
be
limited
to
these
rules
and
regulations.
When
I
call
your
name,
please
provide
your
address
if
any
affiliation
with
a
company
and
what
specific
portions
of
the
rules
and
regulations
you
wish
to
wish
to
address
limit
the
length
of
your
testimony
to
three
to
five
minutes
at
most
and
please
submit
written
testimony.
A
Please
note
that,
as
the
record
is
being
kept
open
during
the
public
comment
period,
all
commissioners
will
receive
and
will
review
any
written
comments
you
provide.
So
if
you
do
not
feel
that
you
have
enough
time
to
address
all
the
things
you
want
to
note
regarding
these
rules
and
regulations,
please
feel
free
to
submit
additional
written
testimony
that
calling
ross
bradshaw
of
nudia.
C
Hello,
ross
bradshaw
of
new
dia
located
at
118
cambridge
street
in
worcester.
We
also
have
application
pending
before
the
city
of
boston,
at
48,
when
ave
in
fenway
so
I'll,
be
speaking
just
solely
towards
the
zoning
buffer
conflicts
between
existing
establishments
or
one
existing
establishment
and
an
applicant.
C
So
a
little
bit
a
brief
background
on
myself
and
kind
of
the
application
process.
I
think
it's
important
just
in
terms
of
context
when
it
comes
to
equity.
It
comes
to
economic
empowerment,
applicants
like
myself
and
other
folks
that
are
seeking
license
or
community
host
agreement
in
the
city
of
boston.
C
Zoning
is
probably
the
biggest
barrier
off
a
lot
of
the
folks.
There
are
a
number
of
barriers
like
finance
and
going
through
the
state
process,
but
one
of
the
the
barriers
that
was
unknown
to
a
lot
of
applicants
that
have
been
in
the
process
for
a
significant
amount
of
time
now
is
zoning.
A
number
of
applicants
applied
some
nearly
a
year
ago
and
at
that
point
in
time
there
were
no
buffer
conflicts
with
certain
establishments,
because
hcas
weren't
granted
a
perfect
example.
C
In
my
case,
when
we
submitted
our
application,
there
wasn't
another
applicant
in
fenway
and
now
as
an
equity
applicant,
we
have
yet
another
barrier
that
is
in
our
way,
and
so
my
recommendation
that
I
would
have
for
the
board
is
for
the
folks
that
have
applied
or
that
are
social,
equity
or
equity
applicants.
I
think
at
the
very
least
they
should,
if
they
are
in
a
buffer
zone
conflict
now,
they
should
have
the
opportunity
to
be
able
to
present
for
the
board
without
having
to
have
additional
letters
or
additional
butter
comments.
C
I
think
for
a
lot
of
the
folks
that
have
really
been
patient
and
worked
through
this
process.
At
the
very
least
they
should
have
their
day
to
have
their
voices
heard.
I
think
it
would
be
a
tough
pill
for
a
lot
of
folks
that
have
sacrificed
everything
along
this
process,
not
to,
at
the
very
least
be
able
to
have
their
community
speak
on
their
behalf
or
to
have
their
application
considered
before
the
board.
C
So
my
only
recommendation
is
if
we
we're
talking
about
genuine
equity,
if
we're
talking
about
creating
genuine
opportunity,
specifically
in
those
high
market
areas,
if
you
think
of
the
north
end
fenway
ba
back
bay,
essentially
right
now,
there's
a
monopoly
on
those
particular
areas
and,
to
my
belief,
my
understanding,
there's
not
one
economic,
empowerment,
applicant
or
not
one
majority,
my
own
minority
owned
business
in
those
areas.
So
essentially,
these
businesses
are
forced
to
the
outskirts
of
boston
which,
which
I
don't
think,
was
the
intention
of
the
ordinance.
C
E
A
F
Hi,
I'm
gonna
take
myself
off
a
video,
so
you
don't
have
any
skipping,
so
you
can
hear
me
well,
okay,
so
hi,
my
name
is
roz
mccarthy,
I'm
the
founder
and
the
ceo
of
minorities
for
medical
marijuana.
Our
corporate
address
is
927
south
golden
avenue.
Orlando
florida,
we
have
a
massachusetts
chapter.
That's
ran
by
darrell
black
in
dorchester
massachusetts.
F
We
focus
on
the
business
side
as
well
as
social
justice
issues
that
are
related
to
legalization,
our
goals
and
priorities
for
equity
applicants,
and
I
will
tell
you,
there's
two
areas
that
I
really
want
to
focus
on:
focus
on
number
one:
the
buffer
area,
the
buffer
zone,
as
well
as
the
diversity
and
inclusion
plan.
So,
first
and
foremost
our
goals
and
priorities
number
one.
F
We
want
to
protect
equity
applicants
against
fraud,
protect
equity
from
misrepresentation,
protect
equity
applicants
from
licensing
access
barriers
and
issues,
support
equity
applicants
with
easy
to
follow,
workflow,
highlighting
the
application
process,
protect
equity
applicants
from
intentional
or
unintentional
redlining
business
threat
and
then,
of
course,
protect
the
intent
in
addition
of
diversity
and
inclusion
plan
requirement
in
the
application
process.
With
the
recommendation,
the
board
addressed
plans
on
how
to
enforce
plans
submitted
once
licensed.
F
Currently,
the
situation
is:
there's
14
host
community
agreements
on
record
three
of
the
14
are
economic,
empowered
or
equity
business
applicants.
The
current
rules
will
compound
and
perpetuate
the
current
barriers
with
the
buffer
zone.
The
the
current
non-equity
applicants
are
mostly
white-owned
national
and
affluent
businesses
who
essentially
are
monopolizing
the
business
opportunities
for
equity
applicants,
who
also
want
to
realize
revenue
from
the
volume-driven
opportunities
presented
when
establishing
a
business
in
boston
city
center.
F
Furthermore,
without
implementing
these
changes,
the
bcb
will
continue
to
perpetuate
the
status
quo
in
which
equity
applicants
are
relegated
only
to
minority
neighborhoods
where
buffer
zone
conflicts
may
not
currently
exist.
So
we
have
four
recommendations
or
actually
we
have
two
recommendations
and
supporting
those
recommendations.
F
Recommendation
number
one
buffer
zone
equity
applicants
get
an
automatic
hearing
with
the
bcb.
In
the
case
of
buffer
zone
issues.
Recommendation
number
two
social
equity
applicants
in
a
non-social
equity
applicant
buffer
will
receive
a
license
and
automatic
recommendation
to
the
zba
that
the
variants
will
be
granted.
F
Therefore,
equity
applicant
statement
would
be
used
as
the
basis
for
automatically
recommending
the
zba
grant
the
variance,
and
so
hopefully
those
recommendations
will
be
considered.
We
have
a
written
testimony
that
you
can
follow
and,
of
course,
we've
provided
our
our
website
and
if
you
have
any
other
questions,
we
would
love
to
answer
those
for
you.
Thank
you.
B
Thanks
roz
thanks
for
your
testimony
today,
I
think
we
do
realize
that
the
requirement
about
the
butters
letters
may
have
to
be
looked
at
more
closely
with
some
flexibility
built
in
my
question,
for
you
is
as
far
as
the
enforcement
policy.
If
I
do
for
diversity,
inclusion,
do
you
have
any
examples
in
other
parts
of
the
country
of
this
type
of
enforcement
policy
that
has
worked
before.
F
No
I'm
working
on
it
and
thank
you
chairwoman
for
asking
that
question.
It
is
an
issue
and-
and
to
be
honest
with
you,
we
drafted
language
in
the
state
of
florida
that
had
that
same
requirement.
However,
we
did
not.
We
were
not
prepared
for
the
number
of
of
information
that
was
submitted.
That
was
not
adhered
to,
so
we
are
still
here
in
florida
trying
to
figure
out
exactly
what
can
be
that
enforcement
piece.
F
We
made
a
recommendation
during
session
this
year
and,
unfortunately,
it
didn't
get
it
didn't
get
a
hearing,
but
we
made
a
recommendation
that
our
office
of
supplier
and
diversity
with
within
the
state
of
florida
would
be
the
enforcement
arm
to
make
sure
that
those
diversity
plans
are
adhered
to.
I
think
we
can
maybe
brainstorm
some
ideas
and
I
would
love
to
maybe
have
this
additional
conversation
and
figure
that
out.
B
F
A
H
H
H
H
Excuse
me
that
any
applicant
that
has
a
known
competitor
within
a
buffer
zone
get
letters
of
approval
from
director
butters,
which
has
never
been
part
of
the
city's
plan
for
community
support.
Previous
previously,
if
a
company
like
evergreen
with
equity
status
in
the
city,
cannot
get
such
letters
for
any
reason,
they
would
be
barred
from
opportunity
even
to
come
before
the
boston
cannabis
board,
essentially
blocking
us
from
participating
in
an
industry
altogether.
H
The
second
portion
that
we'd
like
to
raise
is
the
evaluation
of
new
applicants.
The
diversity
section,
the
ordinance
passed
by
the
boston
city
council,
included
specific
criteria
on
which
applicants
can
be
evaluated
for
licenses.
One
of
those
is
a
diversity
and
inclusion
plan
which
is
weighted
at
the
highest
of
all
others
at
25
diversity.
H
Inclusion
plans
are
often
different
than
hiring
plans,
which
is
already
part
of
a
separate
criteria
under
the
employment
plan
for
the
boston
cannabis
board's
consideration,
a
diversity
and
inclusion
plan
does
not
necessarily
equate
to
how
diverse
company
ownership
is,
but
on
how
the
company
plans
to
achieve
a
diverse
and
inclusive
business
plan
and
work
environment.
Plans
like
these
are
part
of
what
the
state
reviews
and
licensing
applications.
D
Yeah,
can
everyone
hear
me:
okay,
yeah,
okay,
great
yeah,
I'm
thank
you
for
having
me
armani
white
part
of
the
evergreen
farms
team
at
83
hyde
park
ave.
I
just
want
to
speak
a
little
bit
more
to
the
new
requirement
for
the
buffer
zones
as
like
a
black
man
as
a
person
who's
trying
to
open
up
a
shop
in
a
neighborhood
that
is
changing
demographically.
It's
really
hard.
D
It
sets
me
up
to
be
asking
or
a
not
elected
official,
not
social
justice
minded
person
for
a
letter
of
support
to
open
my
business,
which
it
doesn't
feel
like
the
intent
of
the
of
the
bill
of
the
of
what
was
how
it
was
set
up.
Sean
and
I
were
advocates
before
we
met
as
entrepreneurs,
I'm
working
to
ensure
that
there
was
an
economic
empowerment
system
and
we
took
advantage
of
it
once
it
was
created.
D
D
So
yeah.
You
know
I'm
here
providing
comments
as
a
advocate
for
the
industry
and
as
someone
who's
directly
been
impacted
by
the
by
the
war
on
drugs
and
someone
who
is
trying
to
open
up
a
legitimate
business
who's.
Seeing
me
like
one
of
the
final
steps
to
get
there
being
asking
someone
who
was
never
part
of
the
conversation
frankly
to
have
to
give
me
a
letter
of
support
and
so
yeah.
D
I
just
want
to
make
it
very
clear
that
that
needs
something
along
with
what
shawn
has
shared
already
and
what
we've
also
submitted
formally
via
email,
which
I
won't
you
know,
take
up
too
much
time
going
through
fully.
But
it
felt
really
important
to
like
emphasize
those
two
points.
And
so
thank
you
for
your
time.
B
Question
I
do
have
a
comment
for
both
sean
and
marty.
Thank
you
for
taking
the
time
to
join
us
today,
and
I
want
to
repeat
that
we
hear
you
that
there's
a
butter
letters
could
be
a
barrier
to
entry
for
you
and
that's.
Why
we're
having
this
discussion
today?
It
was
never
the
intent
of
the
rules
and
regulations
to
put
up
more
roadblocks,
it's
actually
to
create
a
fair,
more
fair
process
and
a
transparent
process
for
the
applicants
and
the
neighborhoods.
B
D
I
I
just
I
I
don't
have
a
question.
I
have
a
comment.
I'm
really
excited
to
see
black
people
owning
their
own
businesses
and
I'm
really
excited
to
be
part
of
this
commission
that
will
help
make
sure
that
equity
is
at
the
center
of
what
we're
doing
here.
I
also
wanted
to
thank
roz
mccarthy
for
her
comments
as
well
and
would
love
to
get
some
more
information,
as
chairman
kathleen
had
mentioned
about
more
equitable
policies,
and
we're
really
excited
to
be
working
with
you
on
that.
I
A
G
A
Metrios
kudos
and
I
apologize
for
my
pronunciation
with
assured
testing
laboratory
again,
please
limit
your
testimony
to
the
draft
rules
and
regulations
state
your
address.
Please
limit
your
testimony
to
three
to
five
minutes
and
if
you
could,
please
state
what
specific
portion
of
the
rules
and
regulations
you're
addressing.
K
Thank
you,
madam
chairwoman.
Distinguished
members
of
the
board,
thank
you
for
having
us
today.
My
name
is
dimitri
pelicudis,
and
I
am
the
ceo
of
assured
testing
laboratory.
Our
location
of
interest
is
43
freeport
street
in
dorchester,
and
we
wish
to
address
the
rules
and
regulations
as
a
whole
regarding
testing
labs.
K
As
some
of
you
may
be
aware,
there
is
a
well-documented
problem
at
present
in
the
cannabis
industry
regarding
testing.
This
is
that
there
are
only
two
labs
currently
licensed
within
the
commonwealth,
which
has
created
a
vast
backlog
of
supply
for
comparison
at
the
size.
Massachusetts
has
now
reached
with
cannabis
when
colorado
was
at
a
similar
level,
it
supported
nearly
a
dozen
labs
as
a
scientist
specializing
in
cannabis,
as
well
as
having
worked
in
industry,
where
I
gained
significant
regulatory
experience.
I
felt
this
was
an
appropriate
place
to
utilize
my
talents
in
addressing
this
problem.
K
We
have
an
application
in
for
this
location
in
dorchester,
where
we
have
met
with
councillor
baker
and
relevant
civic
associations
with
enthusiastic
support.
We
have
consistently
received
comments,
however,
that
the
logistical
and
community
impact
of
hosting
a
testing
facility
is
vastly
different
from
hosting,
say
a
dispensary
grow
or
other
marijuana
establishment
reading
through
the
draft
of
this
board's
proposed
rules
and
regulations.
K
We
are
therefore
asking
that
testing
labs
as
a
whole
be
treated
as
different
entities
that
they
are,
such
as,
for
example,
aiding
with
an
expedited
process
to
approval
to
aid
all
types
of
applicants
in
this
supply
issue.
We
look
forward
to
working
with
this
body
to
address
the
testing
problem
and
moving
forward
so
that
we
may
improve
the
safety
of
these
products
for
all
people
within
the
commonwealth.
A
Thank
you.
I
do
want
to
make
one
point
in
the
buffer
zone
regarding
the
type
of
cannabis
establishment.
All
cannabis
establishments
are
considered
one,
so
this
board
at
this
time
does
not
have
that
discretion
in
terms
of
zone
just
wanted
to
to
make
that
clear.
But
those
are
great
comments.
Chairwoman,
joyce,
do
you
have
any
any
questions
or
comments?
I
Yeah
I
did
have
a
question
about
whether
testing
labs,
demetrius
or
any
of
the
other
board
members
know
if
testing
labs
in
other
cities
and
states
have
been
treated
differently.
Is
that
something
that
is
common?
I
just
wanted
to
understand,
what's
happening
here
in
boston,
as
opposed
to
other
cities
that
have
cities
and
states
that
have
have
licensed
testing
labs.
K
For
example,
the
ccc
has
therefore
had
due
to
it
wanting
to
hold
on
to
its
standard
of
excellence,
refuse
to
give
any
type
of
exception
to
the
testing
out
there,
and
as
such
there,
there
has
been
a
great
backlog
remaining.
So
to
answer
your
question
very
directly,
yes,
other
states
have
treated
labs
as
separately
and
we're
asking
that
this
be
held
in
in
account
due
to
the
current
problem
that
we
in
massachusetts,
as
a
commonwealth,
face
as
a
whole.
A
A
Calling
chauncy
spencer
again,
please
limit
your
testimony
to
the
draft
rules
and
regulations.
Please
state
your
name
address
and
your
company
affiliation.
If
any,
please
limit
your
testimony
to
three
to
five
minutes
state.
What
specific
portion
of
the
draft
rules
and
regulations
you're
providing
comments
regarding
and
if
you've
not
done
so
already,
please
submit
written
testimony
as
well.
J
Yeah,
so
my
name
is
josie
spencer
of
high
tech,
farms
addresses
of
roslyn
street
in
boston
and
I'm
referring
to
the
required
requirements
for
for
applicants
and
the
letters
of
support.
I'm
finding
and
I'm
hearing
that
some
applicants
are
being
compelled
by
city
council
people
to
enter
into
specifically
lease
agreements
in
order
to
receive
letters
of
support
from
from
those
same
council
members,
this
critical
part
of
the
process.
J
You
know
this
is
a
critical
part
of
the
process,
and
the
rules
are
that
there
are
three
requirements
in
regards
to
site
control
and
that's
what
I'm
specifically
talking
about
site
control
and
those
are
the
letters
from
the
landlord
d
and
elise.
If
one
applicant
is
required
to
have
a
lease
and
the
other
is
required
to
have
a
defeat,
then
you
know
that
that
kind
of
creates
a
an
unequal
disadvantage
for
the
one
for
the
applicant.
J
But
it
was
part
of
one
of
the
discussions
that
that
the
the
board
was
having
sometime
in
their
last
meeting
in
regards
to
monopolies,
and
this
particular
part
is
absent
from
the
regulations
and
it's
currently
the
situation
where
we
have
this.
The
first
applicant
you
know,
has
been
waiting
for
for
years
competing
with
the
first
recreational
operational
establishment
for
their
second
location.
J
You
know,
and
it
may
be
self-serving
as
it
is,
but
I
don't
believe
that
these
types
of
situations
should
be
you
know,
or
these
situations
represent
the
equitable
distribution
of
opportunities.
You
know
I
feel,
or
if
you
know
we
know
if
you
review
the
applications,
submit
it
to
the
city.
So
far,
some
companies
have
submitted
three
applications
in
three
different
locations.
J
J
You
know
it's
difficult
because
some
of
the
the
some
of
some
of
us
economic
department
applicants
have
have
abutters
who
are
competing
with
them
directly
and
they
are
owners
of
their
establishments.
So
then
you
know
how
can
I
get
a
letter
of
of
support
from
from
my
competitor?
That
just
is
just
not
possible.
A
L
Thank
you
for
the
opportunity.
I
did
send
a
letter
to
the
board
back
in
june.
By
my
account
there
were
eight
items
on
it
that
I
wanted
to
go
over,
I'm
not
going
to
go
over
those
today.
I
just
thought
it
hit
the
top
line
issues
a
lot
of
good
conversations
already
been
had.
So
let
me
just
take
the
most
relevant
items
that
I
could
quickly,
but
please
take
a
look
at
my
letter.
L
It
was
drafted
in
a
way
towards
some
smaller
issues
too,
that
you
might
just
want
to
catch
anyway.
I'm
an
attorney
prince
lebel.
I've
been
in
the
practice
for
six
years
in
this
industry.
I've
been
practicing
throughout
massachusetts,
we're
located
in
boston,
and
I
have
several
applicants
that
I
represent.
L
These
comments
are
not
directed
towards
any
one
of
those,
but
rather
just
general
comments.
The
first
item
is
1.02,
a
which
references
the
word
complete
application.
I
do
think
you
might
want
to
define
what
a
complete
application
is.
Specifically,
since
covid
public
hearings
are
no
longer
allowed
in
the
city
of
boston,
so
the
board
might
want
to
consider
not
requiring
something
like
a
public
hearing
as
a
precursor
to
appear
before
it,
given
that
some
are
waiting
for
that
public
hearing,
there
there's
also
a
question
on
whether
or
not
you
wanna.
L
Obviously
the
the
city
council
letter
has
to
be
included.
It
has
to
be
considered
by
the
board.
It's
scored
it's
part
of
the
ordinance,
but
if
a
city
councilor
was
to
withhold
the
letter
or
to
offer
a
letter
to
another
applicant
ahead
of
that,
it
would
change
the
order
in
which
the
board
would
hear.
L
I
think
it's
worth
pointing
out
that
in
what
a
complete
application
you
might
want
to
exempt
the
letter
from
the
council,
knowing
that
it
still
needs
to
be
included
and
just
assume
that
it
will
get
there
by
the
time
the
hearing
is
scheduled
as
well
as
with
the
public
hearing
point.
That's
the
first
time
I
want
to
reference
item
1.04
a
I'm
sorry.
Item
1.04
b
refers
to
the
criteria
for
an
economic
empowerment,
applicant
or
an
equity
applicant
in
the
ordinance.
L
The
definition
of
the
of
the
term
area
of
disproportionate
impact
was
referenced
in
two
different
was
defined
differently
in
two
different
locations.
I
know
that
attorney
hale
white
is
going
to
be
doing
a
lot
of
work
in
this
space,
but
the
regulations
cannot
narrow
the
scope
of
the
ordinance
just
as
a
matter
of
law.
L
L
Now
105b
refers
to
previously
approved
applicants.
I
just
want
to
point
out
it
says
that
you
need
a
approval
by
the
zoning
board
of
appeal
and
a
host
community
agreement.
I
just
want
to
point
out
that
back
in
2014
medical
marijuana,
applicants
did
not
need
a
host
community
agreement.
They
only
needed
a
letter
from
the
city
council
at
the
time
or
by
the
mayor
at
the
time
they
were
giving
letters
by
the
city,
council
and
zoning
approval
so
to
be
consistent
with,
and
I
know
there
were
a
few
applicants
that
applied
in
that.
L
In
that
vein,
I
would,
I
would
remove
the
requirement
for
a
host
community
agreement.
It's
obviously
something
that
I
mean
these
are.
These
are
for
the
previously
approved
applicants.
The
buffer
zone
has
been
talked
to,
and
I
appreciate
the
chair's
comments
so
I'll
skip
that
and
then
the
transferability
issue
is
an
important
issue.
It's
2.00
there's
language
in
the
transferability
section
that
says
there
can
be
no
transfer
of
stock
within
a
company.
L
Most
of
the
smaller
applicants,
including
many
economic
empowerment,
applicants,
social
equity
applicants
and
others
are
looking
for
investors
all
along
the
cycle
before
during
and
after
I
mean,
certainly
if
someone
was
to
go
in
as
an
economic
empowerment
applicant
and
come
out
as
a
non-economic
empowerment
applicant,
that
should
be
a
non-starter,
but
the
board
shouldn't
restrict
an
applicant
from
getting
investment
from
outside,
especially
in
an
industry.
That's
not
allowed
to
be
banked
by
proper
banking
institutions.
L
So
if
an
applicant
is
able
to
come
into
the
board,
get
approved
now
they
have
to
figure
out.
How
do
I
get
1.5
million
or
whatever
it's
going
to
take
to
do
my
build
out?
They
absolutely
are
going
to
have
to
get
outside
investment,
and
they
shouldn't
be
forbidden
for
doing
that.
There
could
be
a
process.
L
There
are,
however,
some
economic
empowerment
applicants
that
are
trying
to
open
multiple
locations,
and-
and
this
is,
I
wouldn't
think
this
is
something
that
would
be
a
bad
thing.
I
mean
the
the
whole
point
of
the
of
the
of
the
cannabis
legislation
was
mirrored
around
the
liquor
legislation.
We
certainly
know
within
the
liquor
legislation
that
there
are
many
chains
within
liquor
stores
throughout
cities
throughout
massachusetts,
where
there's
multiple
operators
from
that
space.
L
So,
if
a
multiple,
if
an
operator,
was
to
approach
the
board-
and
they
happen
to
be
an
economic,
empowerment
or
social
equity
applicant,
I
think
the
board
should
hear
that
and
see
an
opportunity
to
do
something.
That's
wholly
unique.
That
would
be
wholly
unique
to
boston
where
there's
just
so
limited.
I
think
multiple
operators
throughout
this
throughout
the
country,
and
I
think
it
could
be
a
good
thing
for
a
an
equity
applicant
I'll
I'll
I'll
end
it.
There
appreciate
the
opportunity.
B
Counselor
I
at
the
end
I
agree
with
you:
boston
needs
to
be
treated
differently,
establishments
opening
up
in
boston.
We
have
we're
denser
we're
bigger
than
a
lot
of
these
other
communities
that
are
seeing
these
places
open
up
across
the
state.
So
that's
why
I
think
that
we're
going
the
extra
mile
to
make
sure
there
is
equity
across
the
city
in
our
neighborhoods,
because
it
can't
be
a
one-size-fits-all
approach.
B
A
Calling
nancy
lowe
coalition
of
chinatown
organizations
as
a
reminder,
please
limit
your
testimony
to
these
draft
rules
and
regulations.
Please
state
your
name
address
and
affiliation.
If
I
have
already
not
already
read
it
into
the
record,
please
limit
your
testimony
to
three
to
five
minutes
and
please,
if
you
have
not
done
so
already
submit
written
testimony
for
the
record
as
well.
M
M
One
in
particular,
is
very
close
to
our
schools
and
many
day
care
facilities
and
elderly
housing.
So
we
are
concerned
about
the
proximity,
because
we
are
one
of
the
densest
neighborhoods
in
the
city
and
we
also
have
high
pollution
rates
being
so
close
to
the
expressway
and
mass
turnpike
one
of
the
things
I
want
to
comment
regarding
the
school
zone
and
that
it
should
be
applied
to
any
facility
that
is
using
or
leasing
or
owned
by
a
school
building.
M
We
do
have
the
wang
ymca,
which
is
less
than
500
feet
that
is
being
used
by
the
quincy
upper
school,
so
that
should
be
considered
as
part
of
the
school
zone
as
well.
I
also
am
supportive
of
community
input.
I
think
it's
an
important
process
and
that
I
think
the
butters
the
standard
for
butter
should
be
applied
the
same
as
a
zba,
which
is
a
one
mile
radius.
M
I
think
if
someone
wants
to
locate
in
someone's
community
people
in
the
neighborhood
should
have
a
say:
chinatown
already
gets
spillover
activities
from
the
nightclubs
from
the
combat
zone
from
other
establishments
that
has
caused
you
know,
drug
problems
and
criminal
activity.
The
principal
of
the
quincy
school
says
that
she
commonly
has
to
go
upstairs
to
the
roof
where
they
have
a
playground
and
also
the
elite
norton
park
which
their
students
use
and
many
other
after
school
programs,
and
they
have
to
pick
up.
M
A
Thank
you
before
I
turn
this
to
chairwoman
joyce.
I
do
want
to
point
out,
as
chairman
joyce
said
earlier,
that
the
buffer
zone
on
the
school
piece
is
a
creation
of
state
legislation
and
that
specifically
says
that
it
applies
to
k-12
an
existing
k-12
school,
providing
educational
services.
So
I
do
want
to
flag
that
as
something
that
again
this
this
board
cannot
amend
or
that
chairwoman
joyce.
Do
you
have
any
questions
or
comments?
A
G
B
M
M
A
A
N
N
I
think
of
no
fault
of
note
of
of
the
board
or
the
commission
is
that
we
kind
of
got
left
out
of
the
loop
and
and
like
we've
been
in
this
for
two
years,
and
we
just
wanted
to
make
sure
that
economic
power,
social
equity
applicants
who
have
been
in
the
process
and
who
have
waited
patiently,
you
know,
hopefully
they
can
pay
special
attention
to,
and
that's
pretty
much
all.
I
wanted
to
say
thank
you.
G
A
A
And
I
believe,
unless
there's
anyone
else
present
who
would
like
to
indicate
in
the
chat
function,
they
would
like
to
testify.
We've
come
to
the
end
of
the
request
for
public
testimony
again,
please
note
that
the
public
comment
period
is
open
until
july
15th
at
11
59
pm.
I
have
put
the
email
address
in
the
chat
and
I
will
do
that
again.
If
anyone
would
like
to
provide
additional
commentary
or
ask
questions
regarding
the
proposed
rules
and
regulations,
please
feel
free
to
submit
those
at
any
time
again.
A
Anything
in
writing
will
be
given
equal
way
to
any
testimony
received
today.
The
board
greatly
appreciates
everyone
taking
the
time
to
read
through
the
rules
and
regulations
and
your
thoughtful
comments
with
that.
Commissioner,
I'm
sorry,
chairwoman
joyce,
do
you
have
any
closing
remarks?
I
don't
thank
you
very
much.
Do.
A
This
board
will
reconvene
at
a
public
hearing
on
july
22nd
that
information
has
been
posted,
and
that
is
when
they
will
deliberate
and
vote
on
the
proposed
rules
and
regulations
again
that
that
hearing
will
be
open
to
the
public,
but
additional
testimony
will
not
be
received
at
that
time
again.
Thank
you
very
much,
and
everyone
have
a
good.