Boston City Council Orders Hearing on Cannabis Buffer Zone Removal

BOSTON — May 22, 2024 — Boston City Council advances hearings on cannabis buffer zone and new cultural districts. The council on Wednesday referred a hearing order filed by Councilor Edward M. Flynn — with nearly unanimous co-sponsorship — to examine a proposed zoning amendment that would remove the half-mile buffer between cannabis dispensaries, a protection the council enacted in 2016. Flynn warned the change could oversaturate neighborhoods and undermine existing community agreements, while Councilor Sharon Durkan said she supports reviewing the buffer but noted applicants would still face Boston Cannabis Board and zoning approval processes. A separate hearing order by Councilor Brian Worrell and Councilor Enrique J. Pepén, with Council President Ruthzee Louijeune added as co-sponsor, would explore expanding cultural districts beyond the city's current two designations to serve immigrant communities from East Boston to Mattapan. In his Ways and Means report, Worrell said the Youth Employment and Opportunity department left 3,000 summer job seekers unplaced last year and that officials estimate $23 million would be needed to meet full demand, while the Boston Housing Authority's wait list stands at 42,000 applicants for 14,000 units.