MESQUITE, Nev. -- The Mesquite City Council voted to allow a medical marijuana grow facility in the community Tuesday evening.
The city council passed two ordinances in a 4-1 vote at a special meeting to establish the industry.
The facility will be the closest marijuana grow operation to the Utah border.
While it was approved, opponents to the ordinances worried this is the first step toward degradation of Mesquite.
Council members deliberated back and forth about dispensary – the discussion centered around whether to control distribution or let card holders do it.
“I’m not convinced by anybody that having prescription marijuana available is going to make it more available to kids,” said Councilwoman Cindi Delaney. “Do you not teach your kids to stay out of the medicine cabinet?”
Mesquite resident Ty Wakefield spoke against the dispensary at the meeting.
“The potential for misuse of this outweighs any medicinal benefits that could come from this,” he said.
Supporters argue the dispensary would make medical marijuana more easily accessible for the estimated 45 people in the area whom hold medical marijuana cards.
And council members say the estimated millions of dollars in revenue would greatly benefit the city.
The Nevada State Legislature legalized medical marijuana in 2000. Those against the decision worry the decision could lead to the introduction of recreational marijuana.
