Sunland Park uses $1.6 million annual windfall on youth sports, public safety
The proliferation of cannabis shops in a town that treasures family and religious traditions doesn’t seem to faze Gildardo Serrano.
“Let me tell you, the marijuana has always been here. Always,” the long-time Sunland Park resident said while waiting for a bus in front of on such shop near McNutt Road. “People light up next to me and it does not interest me, but I pity young people who start smoking because later it’s not going to be marijuana, it’s going to be something else.”
Whether they’re for or against the consumption of marijuana, residents agree the cannabis tax revenue has been beneficial for their community, which is known for its horse track and casino and the twice-a-year pilgrimages to the top of Mount Cristo Rey.
“We are excited to see the growth. Like I said, there’s not many sources of revenue for the city. They got the casino, but there definitely needs to be more options,” Jimmy Lee Medina said.