The proposed amendments by Ember Gardens included extending its operating hours from the current 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. to a new schedule of 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. The business also sought to eliminate an appointment-only requirement for online orders and a restriction that permitted only Back Bay residents to shop during the last hour of operation. Additionally, they requested the removal of a $35 minimum purchase requirement. Attorney Mike Ross, representing Ember Gardens, argued these conditions were relics from a time when the cannabis industry was nascent and faced stricter regulations. He emphasized that their removal was necessary for the dispensary to compete with nearby businesses that operated later.

The board engaged in a thorough discussion about the implications of extending the hours. Commissioner Holmes expressed skepticism over removing the conditions before evaluating the dispensary’s sales history, but Ross countered that current market trends negated the need for such restrictions. He also highlighted that other local businesses, such as restaurants and liquor stores, operated beyond 8:00 p.m..

Community sentiments were divided. While some residents and representatives supported extending the hours as a reasonable compromise, others voiced strong opposition, citing concerns about quality of life and neighborhood character. One resident argued that even a 10:00 p.m. closing time was excessive for a residential block, noting differences between Newbury Street and other commercial areas. They suggested a probationary period to assess the impacts of such changes. Another resident, Jake Tadaldi, criticized the dispensary’s operational history and expressed concerns about cannabis-related litter and odors in the area.

The board also considered community opposition, primarily from direct abutters and individuals linked to another nearby cannabis shop. The Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services reported receiving several letters of opposition, urging the board to wait until Ember Gardens was operational before making any decisions. Lily from Counselor Durkin’s office supported the request for a 10:00 p.m. closing time, describing it as a balance between business needs and community interests.

The meeting also touched on another cannabis business, Native Sun, which sought a change in ownership interest. Attorney Ross presented the case for transferring ownership from Timothy Caribouard to Jeff Caribouard, who already held a significant stake in the company. The transfer was framed as a straightforward family stock transfer necessary to align local licensing with state-level changes. However, a representative from Flynn’s office raised concerns about Native Sun’s failure to honor community commitments, such as maintaining landscaping buffers, which had impacted neighborhood quality of life.

Despite the focus on ownership transfer, the board was reminded to keep discussions centered on this matter rather than operational complaints. Jeff Caribouard defended Native Sun, asserting that they had upheld numerous community commitments and noting that opposition stemmed from general resistance to cannabis, not specific business failures.