Overview of the Process

The process to open an adult-use marijuana establishment in Brookline has many stages. 

• The first is the host community agreement (HCA) process, which requires a community meeting hosted by the applicant. 
• Concurrently, and after a location has been identified, the applicant can schedule their pre-application meeting with the Planning and Building Departments. Generally this step happens prior to application to the state.
• After the applicant applies to the state for their license, and after their pre-application meeting, they can then seek reports from various departments in the town, such as the Health, Police, Transportation and Fire departments. 
• The department reports are often required during the pre-application meeting to apply for a denial letter from the Building Department, which begins the special permit process. 
• After a denial letter is issued, the applicant can then apply to the Planning Department for a special permit. This process requires a Planning Board meeting and a Zoning Board of Appeals hearing, both of which are public.
•  If the applicant is successful in receiving a special permit, they may apply to the Select Board for a license. 

The marijuana establishment pages seek to provide local information pertaining to proposals for adult-use marijuana establishments in Brookline. Please contact Maria Morelli, Senior Planner, mmorelli@brooklinema.gov with any questions. 

For information on how to apply to operate as a marijuana establishment click here. For a quick link to the Zoning regulations approved at town meeting click here.