Palm Desert Church unhappy with potential new neighbor
In May, Palm Desert began to pave the way for a thriving recreational marijuana industry within its city limits. A handful of fertile spots were selected for future dispensaries.
City officials reviewed more than 30 applications and ultimately decided on spots for six dispensaries and five cultivation sites. But members of one local church have raised concerns about the industry’s growth due to the fact that one of the eleven approved sites would be within 100 feet of the place of worship.
“Our main concern here is the safety issue of the kids and the church,” said Nancy Samaan, a board member of Saint Mary Magdalene Church in Palm Desert.
Just across from the church, a massive cultivation site is in the works.
“This is the building right next to us right here,” continued Samaan. “It’s going to be more than 6,000 sq. ft. of campus plantation and marijuana.”
The City said there is only one application that has been completed out of 11 that are approved. The first retail shop is expected to open in mid-September. Officials said they plan to take a close look at all the other applicants before plans move forward.
The next hearing on the industry is Aug. 21 at 6 p.m. at City Hall. The public is invited to attend and the church encourages residents to show up.
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