ARVIN, Calif. (KERO) — Some "high" hopes were dashed in Arvin on Tuesday as the Arvin City Council unanimously voted not to permit storefront sales of recreational cannabis in the city. The decision comes after months of debate and the issue being pushed back at multiple city council meetings.
The ultimate decision did not come easy, with Arvin community leaders on both sides of the ordinance.
Arvin resident Alexandra Martinez supported the proposal.
"It's very disappointing. I believe people should just get more informed into the usage of marijuana as a whole," said Martinez.
Martinez says she believes storefront sales of marijuana have brought a lot of revenue into other cities, and that was why she was hoping for the city council to vote 'yes' on this ordinance.
Martinez says there are bigger issues to address rather than this one, and says cannabis is something that a lot of people use medically.
"There would be a safer way for people who do want to consume marijuana to do it safely and legally as opposed to getting it off the street, getting laced cards, getting laced marijuana," said Martinez. "I think people are just misinformed of the truths and the benefits that marijuana provides to the community."
On the other hand, Arvin resident Karina Rodriguez, who also attended Tuesday's city council meeting, disagrees, saying revenue isn't worth supporting vice.
"Making money the wrong way isn't the way to do it, and it's better to have money that is going to help us and not have money that is going to ruin our health and other people," said Rodriguez.
Rodriguez goes on to say that she believes the vote to not approve this ordinance will allow many Arvin residents to feel safe in their community.
"I feel relieved knowing that we won't have easy access. I know there will be other ways to get drugs and a lot of people will find different ways, but knowing that we won't have that here in our city is a relief," said Rodriguez.
Whether the residents of Arvin agreed with their decision or not, the members of the city council did express their gratitude for the increased attendance at Tuesday's meeting, saying they hope to continue seeing and hearing more from the community in the future.
PREVIOUSLY REPORTED ON 23ABC:
- Arvin City Council to vote on whether to allow storefront dispensaries
- Arvin City Council vote on cannabis measure postponed
