California City Puts Controversial Marijuana Project on Hold as Thousands of Residents Sign Petition Against It

Opponents of a marijuana project take pictures at the east entrance of the El Monte City Hall on Feb. 6, 2019 after submitting thousands of signatures collected for a referendum petition to repeal the city's approval of a cannabis facility. Zach Li/The Epoch Times

EL MONTE, Calif.—A 4.4-acre cannabis cultivation and processing facility approved by the El Monte city council in 2018 might be blocked after a petition was submitted to the city on Feb. 6 with more than 6,000 residents’ signatures opposing the project.

The referendum campaign started by the Greater Los Angeles Communities Alliance last month has collected enough signatures to meet the requirement of 3,750 signatures to put the issue back to the city council, according to Frank P. Angel, the attorney with the organization.