California: City Issues Sixth Medical Marijuana Permit

Jacob Redmond

Well-Known Member
Third time is a charm for Joy Brown Meredith.

That's how many times she has been in front of the Palm Springs City Council as an applicant for one of the coveted medical marijuana dispensary permits in the city.

By a vote of 3-2 Meredith secured the city's sixth and final permit for her nonprofit Joy of Life Wellness Center.

City council members J.R. Roberts and Ginny Foat voted against, siding with P.S. Patients Collective, headed by another Palm Springs local Charles Kieley.

Meredith, who operates Crystal Fantasy, a long-running shop on Palm Canyon Drive, is known for her tireless civic service, which ranges from helping the homeless to chairing the Palm Springs Main Street group.

"What a great day to be acknowledged for all of the love that I give to Palm Springs," said Meredith after the vote and a chamber of supporters erupted in applause.

Foat, who openly acknowledged all of the work Meredith does in the community, said her decision had to be based on concern for patients and a willingness to support a candidate who had a deep connections to the city. Foat questioned the out-of-town nature of the team assembled by Meredith.

"I know his family, and I know he will be here," Foat said of Kieley.

The Joy of Life Wellness Center plans to offer 10 percent of its proceeds to local charities. The dispensary will be located at 142 W. Oasis Road in Palm Springs in an industrial area, which Foat found to be inadequate due to its dark and remote location.

Mayor Robert Moon looked to Meredith's long history as a Palm Springs retailer as his chief reason for supporting her application.

"She's been there in the good times and the bad times," said Moon. "She has given and given and given." Moon

Seven applicants applied for the sixth permit. Three of those made the final cut by city staff due to being disqualified for not meeting the ordinance requirements.

The La Quinta City Council on Tuesday voted to ban marijuana cultivation and distribution, but promised to explore options for allowing delivery of prescriptions to those with medical needs.

Meanwhile, Palm Desert has tightened its reins on medical marijuana, adopting an ordinance that strengthens its current ban on dispensaries while adding a moratorium on cultivation and delivery.

Cathedral City is reworking its medical marijuana laws — a move that could make it the second Coachella Valley city to permit large-scale grow operations.

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News Moderator: Jacob Redmond 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: City Issues Sixth Medical Marijuana Permit
Author: Skip Descant
Contact: Contact Page
Photo Credit: Torsten Kjellstrand
Website: The Desert Sun
 
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