Indio Welcomes Retail Cannabis Sales

Another Coachella Valley city is opening its doors to retail cannabis. In a 3 to 1 vote last Wednesday, the Indio City Council voted to move forward with a plan to legalize dispensaries.

“We have a lot of development going on, we understand the pros and cons of cannabis now. And we understand the market demands in our community. So I believe right now was the right time,” Mayor Waymond Fermon told KESQ.

There are many details to be determined. Fermon said the City is working with cannabis industry stakeholders to develop a tax that is reasonable and fair. Marijuana retailers have complained about the 10% tax in Palm Springs, Desert Hot Springs, Cathedral City and Palm Desert. The city is also looking at the potential for an equity program.

There are just three cities in the Coachella Valley that now prohibit cannabis dispensaries: Rancho Mirage, La Quinta and Indian Wells