Photo via City of Florence
By Mark Cowling | Pinal Central
FLORENCE — Marijuana dispensary operators were hoping to secure their final inspections and open for business this week in the historic and long-vacant Charles Rapp Saloon at 363 N. Main St. Another dispensary has expressed an interest in retail space near the corner Pinal Parkway and Diversion Dam Road, according to town staff.
The dispensary on Main Street will be called Ponderosa, owned and operated by Sonoran Roots. The company currently operates a Ponderosa dispensary at 9240 W. Northern Ave. in Peoria and is also in the final stages of developing an East Valley location.
Sonoran Roots CEO Michael O’Brien said by email that the company was drawn to Florence by the opportunity to open the town’s first dispensary. “Second, we believe that Florence and the surrounding areas will be extremely high growth for the next few years.
“Third, being a locally owned and operated business of born-and-raised Arizonans that pride ourselves on integrating with the areas we serve, we were excited to get involved in a local, smaller-town community to help shape the cannabis experience for Florence’s residents and visitors.” No cultivation of marijuana will occur on the premises.
