John Wayne’s Ranch Could be Converted into Cannabis Farm

[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]J[/dropcap]ohn Wayne’s 2000-acre luxurious ranch in Southern California is up for sale, and on Nov. 11, a realtor posted photos of the private retreat, noting that would be ideal for “possible cannabis cultivation.” Recent laws in Riverside County have opened up the door to cannabis-related ventures in unincorporated areas and the climate is tailor-made to suit cannabis cultivation.

Rancho Pavoreal is a sprawling retreat close to the idyllic grape orchards of Temecula wine country. The ranch is currently going for $8 million. Since properties in other states can fetch two to three times more than typical properties when sold to cannabis company operators—savvy California realtors know exactly what type of buyers to seek out.

Real estate agent Tatiana Novick of Coldwell Banker reposted photos of the property, and wrote that the land features “a riot of mesas and meadows laced with gurgling streams. Miles of chaparral and clusters of stately oaks. A mountain that American Indian considered a deity. Herds of deer, golden eagles overhead, enough wildlife to stock a zoo.” Novick added in her post that it would be ideal for “possible cannabis cultivation.”

Riverside County recently opened up the door to cannabis cultivation businesses in unincorporated areas of the county, such as Sage. On Oct. 23, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 on Ordinance No. 348, amending its legislation and replacing it with “Commercial Cannabis Activities” thereby establishing retail and cultivation regulations in unincorporated areas of Riverside County, like Sage.

John Wayne, the stage name of award-winning actor Marion Mitchell Morrison, tried cannabis at least once. “There’s been no top authority saying what marijuana does to you,” Wayne said. “I really don’t know that much about it. I tried it once but it didn’t do anything to me.” He even starred in a Reefer Madness-era film called “Marijuana” as a drug detective.

Real estate is all about “location, location, location,” and the Temecula area has been compared to Bordeaux or Burgundy, France. The grape orchards and wineries have been described as serene and heavenly. Others have suggested that the area would be the perfect location for a bud-and-breakfast business. The possibilities are practically endless.