ST. LOUIS — A new bill is closer to becoming law in St. Louis that would allow marijuana dispensaries to stay open longer.
Most dispensaries in the City of St. Louis have to close up shop at 8 p.m. right now, which means they lose out on sales to other counties with later closing times.
If passed, Board Bill 15 will allow all dispensaries in city limits to stay open until midnight.
Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier supports the measure sponsored by Alderman Rasheen Aldridge.
“We found no issues with crime, no issues with safety," Sonnier said. "We found that these are some of the safest facilities in terms of having multiple identification checks just to enter their premises and let alone before you can interact with any substances. So, I think now is prime time for us to revisit and have this conversation."
Swade Dispensary Director of Retail Operations Jack Haddox said his dispensary is are already able to stay open later because it petitioned the city and has seen the benefit in entertainment districts.
“That nightlife doesn't get going till later at night," Haddox said. "A lot of times there'll be a line down the street people waiting to get into the bar or get into that restaurant, whatever it is. This helps people serve that wider berth of customers, serve a longer period of time, and then at the end of the day, make more money for the business. Make more money for the city.."
Sonnier said without extended hours, they're leaving money on the table. Right now, the city is projected to rake in $2.4 million in tax revenue from dispensaries.
“Obviously at a time where we recently took a hit to our earnings tax, and we have a gap to fill in that way, we're exploring all options. So, I think this can be a part of that,” Sonnier said.
St. Louis resident and business owner Louise Marler said the extended hours might not be right for every part of the city, like where she lives and owns an art gallery off Cherokee Street.
“Noise is the problem for me," Marler said. "I am living my dream upstairs from my gallery. I tolerate a certain amount of noise, with that said, however, when I made this plan and moved in here, there was not a dispensary or a bar on the block. So that's changed the climate quite a bit."
She's also worried about safety.
“They always say they have their own security. However, they're not outside. They're inside," she said. "They don't know what's going on in the alley."
Haddox said dispensaries help neighborhoods both with foot traffic and safety, with more hours comes more security.
“If anything, it makes it safer. We're open, that means there's more people, more eyes, more visibility on everything around us,” Haddox said.
Haddox said they have seen how a difference in hours can be a disadvantage.
“We've got a dispensary that's right on the edge of St. Louis city and county, and there's a dispensary about 100 feet on either side of that line. Well, if we have to close at eight, and that store can be open till 10 o'clock, well that's where everyone's going to go after eight o'clock,” Haddox said.
He said dispensaries can help a neighborhood overall.
“Especially in the city, that may be struggling, that may be losing business. You know, it gives people more of a reason to come into those areas, that have been losing business,” Haddox said.
Sonnier said they expect to pass the bill out of committee Wednesday, and then, it will go in front of the full Board of Aldermen at the end of the week.