Planning board advises City Council to allow transfer/amendment for 36 Charles Street marijuana retailer, 9–0

The Malden Planning Board on June 10 voted 9–0 to send an advisory recommendation to the City Council to approve an amendment reissuing the special permit for the marijuana retailer at 36 Charles Street to a new entity described as a joint venture between the current petitioner and new financial and operational partners.

Planning staff noted the petition does not alter previously approved plans and does not change the project’s compliance with use regulations, dimensional controls or parking deficiencies. The existing special permit contains a non‑transferability clause; staff advised that maintaining permit conditions and keeping the non‑transferability provision in place will ensure future transfers return to the City Council for review.

Several board members and visiting councilors raised concerns about ownership changes and whether the licensing and host‑agreement details should be re‑reviewed by local licensing and enforcement channels (including possible review by the Cannabis Control Commission and local licensing authorities). The petitioner’s counsel said the original petitioners remain involved and that new financing partners are intended to bring the project to completion after prior delays at the state level related to community host agreements and licensing.

The Planning Board’s advisory recommendation to City Council—conditioned on the reissue and adherence to the previously adopted special‑permit conditions—passed 9–0; the City Council will hold a public hearing on the transfer on June 23, 2026.