Dorchester is now home to the city’s first-ever marijuana retail store. Pure Oasis LLC opened for business at 430 Blue Hill Ave. on Monday.

Co-owners Kobie Evans and Kevin Hart were the first Boston applicants to benefit as “economic empowerment candidates,” a social equity program prioritized by the state’s Cannabis Control Commission (CCC).

Mayor Martin Walsh, Police Commissioner William Gross, and a host of local elected officials joined Evans and Hart at a press conference inside the store on Friday. 

“I want to thank everyone who worked hard to get us where we are today-- all of the community activists, and all of those that went out to vote in 2016,” said Walsh. “It’s no secret that I was not supportive of this legislation in 2016, but I’ve watched this industry as we’ve moved forward and people are very professional about it. I want to thank the community for the many hours they’ve spent in public meetings during this process.” 

In responding to questions over the length of the approval process, the mayor said, “I don’t think it took too long. This industry is brand new. I’d rather be consistent, steady and have a good outcome.”

The economic empowerment initiative is one of a handful included in the state’s marijuana legislation aimed at closing the racial wealth divide and making amends for past drug convictions — especially in the African-American community, which historically has been disproportionately targeted and impacted by the war on drugs.

Evans, a native of Uphams Corner, and Hart both grew up in areas with high rates of marijuana-related arrests.

As part of the lengthy application process, Pure Oasis completed a host community agreement by which they agreed to hire a diverse staff of employees, including those with criminal records, from the local community.

In response to safety concerns from neighbors, the 3,000- square-foot retail space on Blue Hill Avenue will also have additional security and 24/7 video monitoring.

“The majority of pushback that we’ve had from the community has been around concerns over parking and a rush of people in the area and around the shop,” Hart said. 

“That’s why we have created a space that you’re all standing in now dedicated to getting people off the sidewalk while they’re waiting” added Evans. “At the end of the day we want to be supportive of this neighborhood because we have deep roots here.” 

Steve Hoffman, CCC chairman, thanked state and city elected officials as well Evans and Hart for their commitment to shaping the process. 

“You guys have created an example, not just for the rest of the city and the state to follow, but for the country to follow in terms of your commitment to starting this industry off right and making it work for your city and citizens,” he said. “Including equity is a tremendous example that hopefully the rest of the state and the country will follow.” 

Commissioner Gross congratulated Evans and Hart and said that the BPD won’t have an “us versus them” mentality when it comes to marijuana. 

“The citizens as a commonwealth voted for the legalization of marijuana, and we will abide by their vote. We at the BPD are deeply rooted in community policing. We support all businesses and what they bring to the table,” the commissioner said. 

The Walsh administration has approved 14 host community agreements in 10 different neighborhoods for prospective marijuana retail applicants, including 3 state-certified empowerment candidates.