Ascend – Boston

The Friend Street project drew coverage well before it opened. Forbes reported in January 2020 that it had received broad support from the community and state leaders during the planning phase, and quoted Andrea Cabral, CEO of Ascend Mass, saying Massachusetts licensure standards are high and crediting her team for reaching the milestone. In April 2021, the Boston Herald reported that the Cannabis Control Commission had backed the 16,000-square-foot shop, described as sitting across from North Station and TD Garden, and that a soft opening was being prepared. When the doors opened, AWH founder Abner Kurtin said the store would "dramatically improve consumer access to high-quality cannabis products in Boston," according to Boston.com. That same report noted a commitment, relayed by former West End Civic Association president Jane Wilson, to minimizing lines and monitoring customers during TD Garden events.

Walking routes supplied for the Friend Street address: TD Garden is 0.21 miles, about 5 minutes; Boston Common is 0.56 miles, about 14 minutes; South Station is 1.08 miles, about 25 minutes. Any purchase here is for a private, legal setting, not for the Common or other public spaces.