Boston bar Mary Ann's may become recreational pot shop

BOSTON — A favorite drinking hole in Boston could soon be a favorite pot shop.

Mary Ann’s bar in Cleveland Circle is being considered as the site of a possible recreational pot shop.

Michael Reardon, president of Happy Valley Ventures, extolled the virtues of putting a recreational pot shop at the site where Mary Ann's now stands.

“We’re gonna run a first-class operation. We have a facility that’s gonna close at 9 o’clock," said Reardon.

The bar, a longtime favorite of Boston College students, was sold. It is being renovated as a bar, but if Reardon gets approved by the city, they'll convert it to a recreational pot shop.

"It’s a great location, in terms of access to the T, and it has great parking with meters around the location," Reardon said.

In fact, many people at a neighborhood meeting on Monday night did not oppose the pot shop, but the traffic that comes with it.

But several people did express concerns about the location.

Mary Ann's was notorious for violations, including underage drinking and over-serving. Reardon  and his lawyers said their pot shop would be an improvement.

Boston College's top cop, former Boston Police Commission William Evans, disagrees.

"We have 8,900 students there and the majority of them are under 21 and I think clearly that’s the audience they are going after. So, I have concerns," Evans said.

Some neighbors are also concerned.

"Absolutely against it, selling our souls to the devil," said Feliciano Petruzziello, owner of Pino’s.

But Evans said as a lifelong police officer, he's seen marijuana's impact on people, and this spot is too close to Boston College's students.

"Studies show it affects their thinking. It affects their learning and their whole brain function," Evans said.

Cox Media Group