Members of the Fallon Tribal Development Corporation pose for a photo after a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday for a new marijuana dispensary on Bottom Road. Fallon Mayor Ken Tedford joined the council for the photo. From left: Tedford, Kathleen Gutierrez, FTDC board member; Jon Pishion, treasurer; Melanie McFalls, secretary; Cody Downs, president; and Tanzi Kancler, vice president.
Photo by Steve Ranson.
Friday’s groundbreaking for a new marijuana dispensary west of Fallon should be completed within several months, said a representative of the Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe.
The project located on the southwest corner of Bottom Road and the Reno Highway had been planned for some time, said Cody Downs, president of the Fallon Tribal Development Corporation board.
“The tribe thought it would be a good move for the taxes and a good economic development,” Downs said after the groundbreaking ceremony, which was attended by members of his council and Fallon Mayor Ken Tedford.
Downs wasn’t on the board when the initial idea was formulated for a dispensary, but now as the board president for development, he is at the forefront for growth. Downs said the dispensary will consist of a modular building until a permanent structure is built.
“This will be a temporary facility, and then we’ll be doing a permanent building down the road,” he said.
Downs said the prefab building will be located at the back of the property until the time comes to build a permanent structure. Although a specific time for completion hasn’t been set, Downs said the development council is looking at two months.
Previously, Downs said the FPST and its members were hesitant to build a dispensary, but overtime, nearby towns and tribal councils felt dispensaries are regulated by the state, bring in a clientele representing all walks of life and are profitable.
“Nearby towns are doing it and not having increased crime or other issues,” he said.
Also, he said the State of Nevada oversees the medical marijuana industry.
“We’ll follow the guidance of the state,” Downs reaffirmed, adding the FPST will be in total compliance with the regulations.
Federally recognized Nevada tribes are considered sovereign nations, but Nevada law allows tribes to negotiate compacts with the state regarding marijuana.
“The dispensary will serve as a cornerstone of opportunity, tribally owned, tribally led, and tribally empowered,” Downs said. “Desert Embers is a reflection of what we can achieve when we invest in our people, operate on our land and create happiness for economic growth.”
Downs said the groundbreaking is a declaration the FPST can lead in emerging industries while honoring the traditions of its people and asserting its sovereign rights.
“It’s about jobs for tribal members and revenue that would directly support a central tribal service,” he added.