City leaders in Mendota considering opening the door to commercial pot production

MENDOTA, Calif. (KFSN) -- The gold rush of legal marijuana has hit the Valley. Hanford and Coalinga are on-board with commercial cultivation and now Mendota is thinking about giving it a shot.

According to a staff report, pot businesses are looking for towns to grow, produce and process cannabis products. In order to allow it the city would have to tweak the current marijuana ordinance.

The first step is a discussion within the city council, followed by a vote for approval. The City Manager refused to talk about it and City Council Members did not return our phone calls.

The Mayor, however, gave his thoughts and said he is against recreational use, but there is an opportunity for money to be made that could benefit the small town.

Fresno County Sheriff Margaret Mims wasn't available for an interview but she is known to be against it and opposed the idea in Coalinga.

Some worry bringing mass quantities of pot to Mendota is not worth the risk. John Souza is concerned about the possibility of an increase in pot-related crime.

"There's money to be made but they're going to have to control it a little bit better than what they do, that means more law enforcement and the people who ain't working that want it, they're probably gonna go around taking things", said Souza.

The Mayor also said other cities are already ahead of the game and he wants to get the groundwork started so Mendota doesn't get left behind.