Bessemer Council presented a plan for marijuana sales last night.

BESSEMER — The Bessemer City Council received a second pitch on behalf of allowing marijuana sales in the community at its Monday virtual meeting. A business named Tranquility Fields, represented by former State Rep. Scott Dianda, of Calumet, and its CEO, Ed Santangelo, presented a plan for providing a retail marijuana sales outlet in Bessemer. Santangelo said his firm targets baby boomers, rather than a younger demographic. He said market research indicates there are plenty of marijuana users in the community, and that Bessemer’s proximity to the Wisconsin border adds to the potential market base. He provided a map showing — he said with 90 percent accuracy — where cannabis users reside. Such a facility could provide 10 to 12 well paying jobs, he said, and the firm estimates it would provide something like $144,000 in cannabis excise tax revenue to the community. He pointed out that Ironwood has adopted an ordinance allowing marijuana sales facilities. Bessemer does not have such an ordinance. The council took no action on the presentation. More detail and comment in this weeks Wakefield News / Bessemer Pick and Axe.