California county may nix planned cannabis-centric attraction

A company’s plans to convert the small California desert town of Nipton into a marijuana tourist hub may have hit an insurmountable obstacle.

An existing law in San Bernardino County, where Nipton is located, “bars all sales, distribution and production of cannabis,” according to Capitol Weekly.

That means the $5 million that Arizona-based American Green spent to acquire the town may have been in vain.

The county counsel notified American Green about the cannabis ban on Aug. 9 – six days after the sale was announced – and stressed that the county would use administrative citations and criminal enforcement if necessary, Capitol Weekly reported.

However, Stephen Shearin – who is managing the Nipton project – told the news agency that American Green is aware of the law but remains confident its plans for the town will proceed.

He pointed out that the project will bring jobs and tax revenue to the region, which he believes will eventually convince county officials to support the venture.

“We’re concerned about it but not anxious,” Shearin told Capitol Weekly.