A 5th dispensary has received approval to operate in Peoria, and will be opening near 88th Ave and Thunderbird. Peoria, located just west of Phoenix, has a higher than average percentage of medical marijuana patients in comparison to other cities in Arizona.
According to the city planning director, Chris Jacques, the first three dispensaries in Peoria saw great opposition but the last two approvals passed easily, Your Valley reported.
Laura Bianchi of Rose Law Group said, “When a family community like Peoria allows a medical marijuana dispensary without public opposition, it is clear that the industry’s presence in the state has shifted public perception of medical marijuana. Misinformation and fear of the unknown has given way to knowledge and acceptance of medical marijuana as a source of relief and a force for good in the community.”
The dispensary-to-be’s security plan has already been approved be Peoria Police. Permission to obtain a Conditional Use Permit was granted on March 21 for RJM Real Estate Group. The building is 11,350-sqft and will be allocated for sales and administration operations only. No cultivation or manufacturing of cannabis will take place at the dispensary.
Jacques said, “There were concerns with crime or accessibility of the product to minors. Some were simply unhappy with the act and confused that is was enacted when it remains illegal at the federal level. None of these concerns have played out in practice.”
The dispensary hasn’t set an opening date yet, but it is anticipated to open within a few months.