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Brookline residents vote to restrict NETA's operating hours

BROOKLINE, Mass. — Some Brookline residents are fed up with their local pot shop.

The New England Treatment Access' Brookline location is one of the largest pot shops in the country. Located inside an old bank building, NETA received one of the first retail licenses in the state.

Even before NETA got its authorization to sell both adult-use and medical marijuana, residents in the area were upset at the large influx of people it certainly would attract.

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"People hanging out in front of our house, consuming on the street, I have seen resale to minors," said Ana Otero, a Brookline resident.

Dozens of residents say they are in favor of restricting the business, claiming it's brought more traffic to the area and people consuming cannabis on the streets.

On Thursday night, residents voted on three issues - whether to restrict the store's operating hours, to make the store require appointments and whether the town will review its bylaws regarding NETA's license.

When it comes to restricting the store's hours, residents voted to pass that resolution. Now, instead of being open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. during the week, NETA will start operating from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays and from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

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NETA had already agreed to restrict it's operating hours.

Residents failed to pass the motion to restrict the store from walk-in to by appointment only. People can still come whenever they want and stand in line, or order ahead (and also stand in line, but for a shorter period of time).

Now, the town will be reviewing NETA's license, but nothing the company's president says they are worried about. In fact, Amanda Rositano, President of NETA, was happy with the outcome of the meeting.

"I think the vote was positive," said Rositano. "We were able to preserve privacy and access for our customers So. we are very pleased at how the outcome came tonight."

The new hours will go into effect on Dec. 1.

>> RELATED: As only Boston area shop, NETA's neighbors overwhelmed with traffic

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