Boston’s Ascend Wellness Holdings has officially opened its recreational marijuana dispensary in downtown Boston this week.
Located at 272 Friend St., the 16,000-square-foot store is around the corner from North Station and TD Garden.
The company announced its official opening Monday, after a soft launch last Thursday. According to the company, the multi-floor shop is the largest adult-use marijuana dispensary on the East Coast.
Ascend is the city’s fourth recreational pot shop, following stores in Dorchester, East Boston, and Jamaica Plain. It is also the first such shop downtown.
AWH founder Abner Kurtin said the shop will “dramatically improve consumer access to high-quality cannabis products in Boston.”
Due to its location, Ascend “strongly” encourages customers to take public transportation rather than drive. There are however many paid parking lots and garages in the neighborhood. The store will be open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.
Andrea Cabral, the CEO of AWH subsidiary Ascend Massachusetts and a former Suffolk County sheriff, said in a statement Monday the company will “respect” its neighbors.
“Our compliance record and relationships reflect that,” Cabral said. “We are running professional retail operations and are deeply committed to bettering the lives of our customers and the communities we serve.”
Massachusetts law still prohibits public marijuana consumption.