The possible opening of marijuana dispensaries in Bell Gardens has caused discomfort among some residents of that city.
Many of them ask for the cancellation of this project, currently among the plans of municipal officials
“This is going to destroy us and they are going to destroy these children that we have here,” said priest Nabor Ríos, of the Santa Gertrudis Catholic Church in Bell Gardens.
With the increase in demand for marijuana, Santa Ana Community College will soon become the first in the country to offer cannabis classes to its students.
“We are doing it for them so that they know that they are the future and that they have to help us so that this does not happen.”
The priest joined a group of people who marched to protest the approval of an ordinance authorizing the establishment of these dispensaries.
They allege that the authorities did not take into account the opinion of the residents.
“There were more than 200 people to talk to them and they ignored them because their economic needs come first,” said Jennifer Rodríguez.
“Because what they have shown is that, in effect, they have sold the marijuana industry.”
Protesters marched from the Bell Gardens City Hall building to Veterans Park, where the annual event known as “National Night Out” was taking place. The event brought together police authorities, council members and city residents.
“They have sold our town, they have sold the future of the community and this is going to affect us forever,” Rodriguez said.
The entrepreneurs are waiting for one last inspection to be able to open their store.
Bell Gardens Mayor Francis de León and City Manager Michael O’Kelly declined to comment to Telemundo 52.
However, they indicated the position of the municipal authorities through a statement.
“The city has not received any applications for retail cannabis sales at this time,” the statement said.
“The City Council considered and approved a cannabis retail process that provides exclusive revenue for community programs that directly benefit Bell Gardens residents.”
This April 20 or “4/20” as it is known in English, marks International Marijuana Day. As Norma Ribeiro tells us, after its consumption is approved in several states, more and more people are using it as an alternative to traditional medicine.
Dissatisfied residents claim that opening cannabis dispensaries does not bring any benefit to the community. They point out that, on the contrary, it will produce negative effects on the development of children and young people.
“We’re all going to be marijuana users now,” said Rogelio Rodriguez, a Bell Gardens resident. “We are not going to have a way out. Everything will be for representatives like the ones we have right now.
City council representatives point out that other cities with similar characteristics receive tax revenues of up to $3 million annually. In addition, they claim, it eliminates the operation of illegal cannabis businesses.
