74°F
weather icon Clear

County approves marijuana cultivation in Amargosa Valley

Acres Cultivation is one step closer to beginning construction on its medical marijuana facility in Amargosa Valley.

The Nye County Commission passed both the cultivation and production medical marijuana licenses for the group at their meeting in Tonopah on Tuesday.

Before the board approved the licenses, Commissioner Lorinda Wichman wanted to get the company’s water usage plans on the record.

Wichman did so due to statements made earlier this year that suggested that Acres Cultivation’s partners planned to ship water from their facility in Amargosa Valley to their other facility in Las Vegas.

“We have a large property, 37-and-a-half acres plus or minus up in Nye County with 74 acre feet of water,” Acres Medical managing partner John Mueller told the Las Vegas City Council. Mueller told the council that the plan had been presented in Amargosa Valley and “they’re excited about us being involved with them up there.”

The Amargosa Valley Town Board gave an initial nod of approval to Acres Cultivation, which has the same partners as the Las Vegas company, before a special use permit was granted by the Nye County Commissioners on July 16, 2014.

The commission granted the permit based on an approved water management plan by the Nye County Water District. The water management plan stated that a maximum total of 9,000 to 18,000 gallons per day, or between 3.4 and 6.7 million gallons annually from Basin 230, would be used to grow marijuana.

Paris Balaorus of Acres Cultivation assured the commission that those plans were no longer current, and that no water would be transported to their Las Vegas facility.

“Originally it (shipping water to Las Vegas) was a plan and when you’re putting in these submissions here, you’re trying to give your best ideas,” Balaorus said. “But with the circumstances, the way they came out, that’s just not going to happen.”

The site is located at 950 E. Anvil Road in Amargosa, and will be constructed in different phases.

This wholesale establishment is dedicated to providing premium medical marijuana products to licensed, State of Nevada dispensaries and production facilities.

The construction will be completed in three phases, a process that will allow for early employment opportunities, advanced training and certification as well as local tax revenue in the early phases of this project.

Phase one will include site work, property landscaping, property lighting, facility parking, Building B Tenant Improvement, security &surveillance.

Phase two includes continued site work, landscaping and the first two greenhouse structures along with added surveillance and water storage.

Phase three will include two additional greenhouse structures with added surveillance and site work.

Balaorus said that there is no planned start date for construction, just that they, “are moving as fast as possible at the moment. Wish it was today.”

“Once complete the facility is set to employee up to 23 people, with the building having 27 parking spots.

Town Manager Mike Cottingham is excited about the addition of Acres Cultivation, as he said it was the first new business to open up in 20 years.

MOST READ
THE LATEST
USO Benefit Show nets thousands for local causes

B.J. Hetrick-Irwin, founder of the Nevada Silver Tappers and Ms. Senior Golden Years, continues to dance at the age of 99.

No more squatting – new law targets homeless on vacant, private property

Nye County McGill said the purpose of the new code is to authorize the sheriff’s office to make contact with people occupying vacant private property or a property with a vacant building and demand to see a lease agreement.

VEA names new CEO

Hamlin will return to Pahrump for his first day as CEO of the co-op on Dec. 9.

Jury finds Michele Fiore guilty on federal wire fraud charges

Former Las Vegas City Councilwoman Michele Fiore was accused of using donations meant for a statue of a fallen police officer on her personal expenses.

Empty the Shelters!

BISSELL Pet Foundation’s Fall National Empty the Shelters offers a chance for the community to save lives through adoption while creating space for shelters to help more pets.

Offload your hazardous waste next weekend

Readers looking for a chance to toss out this type of junk safely and properly should mark their calendars for next weekend’s Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Event.

Nye deputies eradicate large pot growing operation

“We cut down approximately 2,000 plants,” Nye County Sheriff Joe McGill said. “Some were as big as over six-feet tall.”

Firewood permit program underway

On a first-come, first-serve basis, the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area is offering firewood permits this month, via its annual Firewood Permit Program.

Big Brother, Big Sisters returns to Pahrump

The 120 year old non-profit organization Big Brothers Big Sisters of American (BBBSOA) is making its return to Pahrump this Fall.