A previous ban on pot dispensaries went up in smoke Tuesday with a unanimous vote by the Desert Hot Springs City Council.
Tuesday’s decision repeals a 2007 ordinance prohibiting medical marijuana businesses from operating within city limits. Under the new rules, dispensaries with 99 or less mature plants can do business in certain commercial zones as long as they obtain the necessary permits, while cultivation enclosures with more than 100 mature plants will be allowed in industrial zones.
“When it comes to medical marijuana, the west side of the valley is really about health and wellness,” said Mayor Adam Sanchez. “Patients in Desert Hot Springs that really need this assistance won’t need to drive out of town anymore, and hopefully we can meet the needs of our residents.”
Officials are also hoping the new tax revenue could help offset the city’s $6.2 million deficit.
The one remaining question is how many dispensaries the city will ultimately allow. For now, the city council is split on three to five, but Council Member Jan Pye said a lot will depend on how things are going 6 to 12 months from now.
Tuesday’s vote makes Desert Hot Springs the third Coachella Valley city to embrace medical marijuana. Palm Springs and Cathedral City already allow marijuana dispensaries to operate within city limits.
Read more about Tuesday’s vote here.