Cathedral City Council votes for Cannabis Grow-Op in Strip Mall

The Cathedral City Council has decided on Wednesday to vote in favor of letting a large cannabis grow-op go ahead and exist in a city strip mall. The project will allow seven of eight suites in a Canyon Plaza Shopping Center to grow pot, and the remaining suite to be the new location for Vista Paint.

Cannabis Sativa

Edlin Kim, who represents the seven LLCs, appealed the planning commission decision to deny the seven permits (which happened earlier this month) and Wednesday’s decision favors his.

Pat Milos, the Planning Director, said that the project conformed to all requirements that cannabis businesses have to observe and City Attorney Eric Vail said on Wednesday that the city could not deny a business a conditional use permit based on whether they liked it or not, but they had to judge based on if they conformed to city ordinances.

Mayor Stan Henry had been opposed to the zoning change that would open this area up to cannabis, and though he didn’t personally support the project, he recognized that the operations would meet requirements set out by city cannabis ordinances.

 “I am a firm believer in that we have to abide by what the law is,” said Henry. “Personally, I’m against this, and I’m against the location. But the law allows it.” The location is where a large Mor furniture store used to be and near local car dealerships.

“We believe the investment being proposed for this property will ultimately be a win-win for Cathedral City,” said Katie Stice, who represents the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce.

The site of the new cannabis grow operation.