The introduction of a proposal for a medical marijuana cultivation center in DeWitt County is in part thanks to the work of the local economic development folks.

Medical marijuana has been a proposal on the table and approved by the Clinton City Council and the DeWitt County Board for a little more than a month. According to DeWitt County Development Council CEO, Ruth Stauffer, the company Salveo Health and Wellness, who will be applying for the permit for a DeWitt County cultivation center, two of their primary investors have roots in Clinton and wanted to see the community be the site for such a facility.

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The effort to accommodate a medical marijuana facility has been on going since January and according to Stauffer, many people have been coordinating the effort. She explains zoning regulations, space and other factors were considered as things went along.

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According to Stauffer, she coordinated a meeting with the representatives from Salveo and local law enforcement officials about the challenges they may face if they get established in DeWitt County.

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Stauffer explains normally efforts like these can take years to complete, the medical marijuana proposal took a matter of months. She explains because the deadline the state put for applications to be submitted, there were many days dedicated this project alone.

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Stauffer feels it is very unique to have a connection to one of the companies that wants to come to Clinton like Salveo does. She adds a decision on whether DeWitt County would receive this facility may not come until after the first of the year.

Both the DeWitt County Board and the Clinton City Council have thrown their support behind the measure. The facility is set to be east of Clinton city limits on Weldon Springs Road.