THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, December 6, 2019 Page 3 Cannabis Commission hopes to fine-tune the licensing process By Barbara Taormina O pening the city’s door to the new retail marijuana industry is getting complicated. The Cannabis Licensing and Enforcement Commission met this week to discuss the fifth candidate for a retail marijuana license. The commission has the authority to screen and approve candidates who are eligible to pursue the five retail licenses available in Malden. So far, they have backed MassMedicum, which is seeking a license for a retail business at 616 Broadway; Misty Mountain, which hopes to open shop at 323 Commercial St.; Standard Naturals, which is pursuing a license for a business next door to Kappy’s on Route 1; and Craft Cultivation, which has proposed a retail, cultivation and manufacturing business at 1130 Eastern Ave. in the former JRM building. However, according to the city’s Cannabis Ordinance, one of the available licenses has some tighter guidelines. Preference is to be given to an applicant where at least 51 percent of the business is owned by a Malden resident who has lived in the city for the past five years. Preference can also be given to an applicant who is eligible under the economic empowerment priority review established by the state Cannabis Control Commission. The economic empowerment priority was established to make sure that people who are from communities that have been disproportionately harmed by marijuana law enforcement can find opportunities in the new cannabis industry. The Commission has designated 29 communities that have been disproportionately harmed, and Malden is not on the list. Still, Malden is required to give preference to applicants who can check at least three of the following boxes: a majority of the proposed business ownership is held by people who have lived in disproportionately impacted areas for five to 10 years, at least 51 percent of the employees in the proposed business live in areas of disproportionate impact, at least 51 percent of the employees have drug-related arrest records, the majority of the ownership is made up of individuals from Black, African-American, Hispanic or Latino decent or owners have experience in business practices that promote economic empowerment in areas disproportionately harmed by marijuana laws enforcement. None of the eight candidates who applied for a retail cannabis license form the city match those profiles. In fact, none of the eight candidates were even close. “I would be thrilled if, as this emerging business manifests itself, someone who fits this criteria comes forward,” said Police Chief Kevin Molis, who is a member of the Malden Cannabis Licensing and Enforcement Commission. Molis was also looking at criteria for preferences for a cannabis license developed by Boston, which also includes applicants with a low-to-moderate income. Commission members weren’t sure whether they should hold off on supportFINE-TUNE| SEE PAGE 21 We’re Keeping You Moving in Stoneham and now Malden Friday, December 13 at 9 PM The Ultimate Party Band WILDFIRE Thursday, December 19 at 8 PM Full Scale Holiday Rock Orchestra TWELVE-TWENTY FOUR INTERNATIONAL CHRISTMAS 405 Pearl St., Malden, MA 02148 It’s time to get back to the things you love. At Agility Orthopedics our commitment to keep you moving is more than just three words, it’s a promise to help you experience life in the ways that matter most to you. Appointments for the following services are now available at our Malden location: • Joint Replacement • Sports Medicine • Hand Surgery • Shoulder Surgery • Pain Management • Regenerative Medicine: PRP/Stem Cell Schedule an appointment at our Malden location (781) 279-7040 • agilitydoctor.com 221 Newbury Street, Danvers For Tickets call (978) 774-7270 or www.breakawaydanvers.com Tuesday, December 31 Rock in the New Year with the #1 AC/DC Tribute Band! Sunday, Dec. 15 10 AM-1:30 PM DIRTY DEEDS SANTA BRUNCH AUTOTECH 1989 SINCE Get Your Vehicle Winter Ready! OIL CHANGE SPECIAL Up to 5 Quarts of Oil (Most Vehicles) Includes FREE Brake Inspection & Safety Check Only $24.95 DRIVE IT - PUSH IT - TOW IT! CASH FOR YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR SUV! 2011 FORD F-150 CREW CAB Platinum Package, 4X4, Loaded, Every Option, Clean Title, Only 99K Miles, Trades Welcome! WORKING LUXURY $18,900 Easy Financing Available! 2006 PONTIAC TORRENT 4X4, All Wheel Drive for the Winter, Only 43K Original Miles, Excellent Condition, Clean Title! BEAUTIFUL BLUE $4,900 781-321-8841 1236 Eastern Ave • Malden EddiesAutotech.com We Pay Cash For Your Vehicle! dine drink gather Friday, December 6 at 9 PM STOMPIN' MELVIN Saturday, December 7 at 8:30 PM The Exclusive Return Engagement of... JOHN CAFFERTY & THE BEAVER BROWN BAND enjoy Saturday, December 14 at 9 PM The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience KASHMIR Friday, December 27 at 9 PM Back by Popular Demand! VINYL GROOVE
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