Vote approving pot shop not unanimous

In a rare move, Maricopa Planning and Zoning Commission wasn’t unanimous in greenlighting a new business in town.

The commission approved a permit for the proposed Trulieve of Maricopa marijuana dispensary in a 6-1 vote during last night’s meeting.

The one opposing vote came from Commissioner Jim Irving, who took issue with the store’s proximity to schools and common areas where children gather. The pot shop will sit on the southeast corner of John Wayne Parkway and Honeycutt Avenue, sitting just south of the Lowe’s Home Improvement store currently under construction.

He offered a hypothetical where someone purchases pot at the store and sells it on school property, like at Maricopa High School’s baseball field.

“I’ve seen kids go over and sell sugar cubes to kids [at baseball games],” Irving said. “I have an issue with the close proximity.”

City code states dispensaries must be located at least 1,500 feet away from schools and at least 500 feet from parks or religious facilities. MHS’ and Maricopa First Baptist Church both sit just beyond the legal boundaries.

Other commissioners questioned security measures, whether minors would be allowed inside the store, dual licensing requirements and if the store could affect future development.

Questions echoed concerns voiced by Maricopa Police Chief Mark Goodman and Maricopa Unified School District.

Earlier this month, Goodman raised concerns about security around the dispensary, stating the retailers can be “prime targets for theft and robberies, as they typically have large amounts of cash and valuable products on hand.”

Meanwhile, MUSD opposes the dispensary outright.

“We firmly believe that a cannabis retail chain in our city poses significant risks to the health, safety and overall development of our students,” said MUSD spokesperson Mishell Terry.