ST. LOUIS — In just a matter of weeks, St. Louis zoning officials are expected to decide whether to change a restriction that keeps marijuana dispensaries from operating past 8pm. Some shops say they're losing business because of it.
It's no secret sports is one of the big draws to downtown St. Louis. On any given game night, huge crowds are coming into the city, giving many businesses a boost.
"It is a missed opportunity,” said Adrienne Scales of the Luxury Leaf marijuana dispensary.
The shop opened on South Vandeventer Avenue in 2022. Owners say business is good, although they often miss out on potential customers.
“I have people that come in and say, 'You know, I really wanted to consume. I wanted to buy it. I had to go to another dispensary because you were not open,' because they're able to go to the county,” she said.
In St. Louis County, marijuana dispensaries can stay open until 9 p.m. In the city, they have to close by 8 p.m.
"Let's bring in all the money off the weed,” said St. Louis Alderman Rasheen Aldridge.
Aldridge has a proposal to allow St. Louis dispensaries to stay open until midnight if they choose.
“We’re in a revenue crunch so this can be an opportunity for the city to bring in a lot of money,” he said, adding that it can be done without costing taxpayers.
Some have concerns about the measure.
“PreventEd advocates for any measures that limit the risks and adverse impact of increased availability of cannabis on young people. In short, we would not be in favor of extended hours,” the group’s Executive Director Nichole Dawsey said in a statement.
Other opponents have questioned whether extending pot shop hours could lead to crime.
"They have strong security already as it is. As you enter, there's security there…Liquor stores are open to late at night. You can buy cigarettes late at night. Now that marijuana is legal,
I think we need to get away from this notion that it's a boogie man,” Aldridge said.
Luxury Leaf's owner says longer hours would benefit customers who need marijuana for medical reasons.
"If you go to Walgreens and you need to get a prescription filled, sometimes that doesn't fall in the normal
hours of 8-5… Sometimes your medical needs don't happen during regular hours,” Scales said.
A final decision could come from the St. Louis Board of Aldermen in the next couple of months.