A medical marijuana facility may soon replace a closing furniture store on the border of El Monte and Temple City. 

The incoming owners, GSC Holding Group LLC,  have asked the City of El Monte if they can create a commercial marijuana distribution, cultivation and manufacturing business. The owners have agreed to hire all employees from the San Gabriel Valley and to donate revenue to local community organizations.

The four-acre property located at 4400 Temple City Boulevard is across the street from a residential area. Neighbors are debating whether a cannibus business will be good for the community.

Temple City resident Juli Liu has been placing flyers in her neighbors' mailboxes and walking around the street alerting residents about the project.

“I think this is very bad for people, very bad for the community, very bad for the next generation,” Liu said.

Resident Christina Law lives across the street from the proposed site. She just bought her home in October of 2018.

“If I know, I don’t want to buy here because here is very, very expensive,” Law said.

Homes like hers have recently sold for over $760,000.

The business is across the street from Temple City, but is located in El Monte. The City of El Monte says that it mailed notices to all homes within 500 foot radius.

El Monte resident Jackie Morales has worked in the medical field in the past. She is happy to welcome the business to town. 

“Even though it’s going to be kind of a pioneer project, but I think it’s no different than the other pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing companies that are already here,” Morales said.

The city council will bring the project for a vote on December 18. If the project is approved, the facility is expected to open by Fall 2019.