Riverside’s first adult-use recreational cannabis dispensary could open its door to the public as soon as August, according to Village Manager Jessica Frances.
Star Buds IL, which opened a dispensary in southwest suburban Burbank in January, recently began interior demolition at 2704 Harlem Ave. after being granted a permit by the village of Riverside. Signs on two sides of the building’s exterior announce “cannibis (sic) dispensary coming soon.”
An attempt to reach Ahmad Joudeh, one of two brothers who are Star Buds IL’s principals, was not successful.
The cannabis company is leasing the property from its owner Dr. Milad Nourahmadi, who also owns the strip mall at 2720 Harlem Ave. Once the dispensary has been open for one month, the village of Riverside intends to sell the property at 2710 Harlem Ave., which sits between 2704 and 2720 Harlem Ave., to Nourahmadi.
The plan is to convert that vacant parcel at 2710 Harlem Ave. into additional parking for 2720 Harlem Ave., and also set aside some parking spaces in that lot for the dispensary.
Because cannabis dispensaries are allowed by right in the Harlem Avenue commercial zoning district, Star Buds will not need any zoning relief.
Work to