ST. LOUIS — St. Louis leaders approve a plan to allow marijuana dispensaries in the city stay open later. Friday, the Board of Aldermen voted to extend dispensary hours until 10 p.m., seven days a week.
Alderman Rasheen Aldridge said since recreational marijuana became legal, the city is seeing big bucks. “Currently we’re bringing in $2.4 million so hopefully with now extending until 10 p.m., we’ll bring in more money, but it also allows the city to be more competitive with St. Louis County.”
Dispensaries in the county have always been able to stay open until 10 p.m.
Earlier this year, students and staff from Lift for Life Academy in Soulard protested the opening of a new dispensary across the street.
Kind Goods opened up shop where Jimmy Johns used to be.
“It’s here and it is what it is,” said Marshall Cohen with the school.
He’s now fighting the store’s request to open a drive thru.
“What if someone is driving up to the drive thru and is inebriated or something and comes out of that drive thru too quick while one of our buses are coming and going… We have parents picking up the kids and dropping their kids off. Their exit is directly across the street from our exit,” he said.
Zoning officials will soon decide whether to give that plan the green light.
5 On Your Side reached out to Kind Goods for comment but hasn’t heard back.
As for dispensaries extending their hours, it’s now up to the mayor to sign off.