Des Peres will be the first city in the region to ask residents whether they want to ban recreational marijuana businesses next year, even as the first and only pot store in the city of 9,100 residents nears its grand opening.
Des Peres aldermen voted 5-0 Monday to give voters the option on Nov. 5, 2024, the first date allowable by Missouri law. Alderman James Osherow was absent.
The move was cheered by about 50 residents who have for months raised concerns over the dispensary’s proximity to a youth math tutoring center and that it could increase crime by becoming a target for burglaries.
“Just say no to drugs,” said Kevin Quigley, who was among eight residents who spoke during nearly two hours of public comment Monday.
I thought this was newsworthy mostly because someone used the sentence “Just say no to drugs.” unironically and as a serious argument in favor of banning something in the year 2023.