Pure Oasis — Boston, MA

Pure Oasis is widely known as Boston’s first recreational dispensary — a feat of its own for anyone in the burgeoning cannabis space. Owned and operated by Kevin Hart and Kobie Evans, two Black entrepreneurs focused on giving back to their community, Pure Oasis is truly a place of reprieve for the local residents — both their patrons and now their employees. Per an article covering the opening of the shop on Boston.com, “Among their 30 or so staffers are residents who live within walking distance from the shop, as well as people with prior criminal records”, said Evans.

The duo chose to set up shop in Dorchester, “a dense and diverse neighborhood about four miles south of downtown Boston”, with the community’s needs in mind. “The war on drugs had a very detrimental impact on neighborhoods like this,” Evans said after letting in the store’s first wave of 50 or so customers. “We’re here to try and remedy some of those negative effects. We’re trying to give people second [chances] and create new opportunities.”

Pure Oasis is open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., so if you ever find yourself in the area, or want to support a Black-owned dispensary in the greater Boston area, you can easily access them via the T (Boston’s subway system). There is street parking around for anyone driving in, but as anyone who knows Boston can tell you, it’s best (and cheaper) to park outside the city and take the train in and around.