Imperial County approves first cannabis lounge in Winterhaven
Adrik Vargas
IMPERIAL COUNTY, Calif. (KYMA) – The Imperial County Board of Supervisors has approved a new cannabis dispensary and lounge in Winterhaven.
The project will move into the old Jimmy’s Market building on Railroad Avenue, with a retail area in front and a lounge in the back where customers can consume cannabis products.
The proposal was originally denied by the county’s planning commission, but San Diego-based WH Lounge LLC appealed, and supervisors gave the green-light in a four-to-one vote.
Board Chairman John Hawk was the lone vote against.
“I would be much more inclined to say, take your drug to your home where you’re not going to endanger the public…and do it in the privacy of your home,” Hawk said. “I don’t see the idea and the value of having a consumption lounge, which bothers me as a driver, as of a grandfather watching my kids, my grandkids or whatever, driving and knowing that they could, be impaired or hit by someone that’s intoxicated.”
An economic consultant estimates the project could bring in more than $24 million over the next 30 years.
Local cannabis business owner Angel Fernandez said it comes down to personal responsibility.
“Driving under impairment is definitely a concern. But I would associate the same concern that any business or any, municipality should have over having a bar,” Fernandez said. “In all its forms, cannabis business’ is contributing to the township of Winterhaven, it’s definitely providing jobs there for the small town.”
The new lounge is expected to create seven full-time jobs, though no groundbreaking date has been set.