Cannabis lounge concerns

EDITOR'S NOTE: The original publication of this story incorrectly listed the address of the property as 1224 Gardner Rd. It is actually 1240 Gardner Rd.

DOÑA ANA COUNTY, New Mexico (KVIA) -- The owners of property in southern Doña Ana County are looking to re-zone the lot to build a cannabis farm and consumption lounge.

Some nearby residents are not happy about it.

The land is located at 1240 Gardner Road on the New Mexico-Texas state lines, north of Sunland Park.

It’s bordered by Crawford Road to the west, with the Cielo Dorado Estates, and a private airstrip, bordering at the north.

A sign was posted on the property last month, informing residents about the special use permit application by the property owners, Acoma Hill Investment LP in El Paso.

The sign states the owners want to start cultivating cannabis, as well as open a retail store and consumption lounge on the property.

Some nearby residents that spoke to ABC-7 last week, such as Richard Moya, have concerns about the owner’s plans, including the smell of the cannabis crops, added traffic, and the possibility of impaired drivers leaving the consumption lounge.

“After somebody consumes, we don’t want them driving out on the road and going into our neighborhoods in this area," said Moya.

ABC-7 did make contact with the property owners Acoma Hill Investment LP Monday.

However, they declined to comment on residents’ concerns until the upcoming planning and zoning commission meeting.

Newly elected District 2 County Commissioner Gloria Gameros, who represents the area, encourages those who are upset to show at this week’s planning and zoning meeting.

“When we did have a lot of people attending and voicing their concerns, you know, that sent a loud and clear message to us, so, yeah, you’re probably going to be heard much more," said Gameros.

The meeting is set to take place this Thursday March 13th at 9 a.m. at the Doña Ana County Government Building in Las Cruces.