Commentaries posted do not necessarily represent the opinion of LDN.
 Any opinions expressed are those of the writers.


WHERE YOU CAN AND CAN’T BUY RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA IN ILLINOIS

Illinois Policy Institute/ Ben Szalinski

Many Illinois municipalities have voted to ban or restrict marijuana sales when it becomes legal for sale. Here’s a list of where pot will, won’t and might be legally bought.

Recreational marijuana sales will become legal in Illinois beginning Jan. 1. However, many municipalities have voted to restrict or ban the sale of marijuana in some manner already. Here is a guide as to where you can and cannot buy marijuana beginning in 2020.

No marijuana sales in these communities

Arlington Heights:

Cannabis businesses will not be allowed.

Bolingbrook:

The village board and police department both voiced their support for banning marijuana sales.

Chatham:

Marijuana will not be sold in the town.

Decatur:

Sales will not be allowed in the city.

Downers Grove:

Sales will be banned for the foreseeable future.

DuPage County:

Marijuana shops will not be allowed in unincorporated areas of the county. The rest of the county will see sales taxed.



Elmhurst:

Sales are prohibited.

Forsyth:

The village unanimously voted to ban sales in the town.

Glen Carbon:

Sales will not be allowed in the village.

Grayslake:

Sales of marijuana are banned in the town until at least 2021.

Highland Park:

City council voted not to hold a public hearing, which means sales of marijuana will not be allowed in the city on Jan. 1.

Lake Forest:

Marijuana sales were unanimously banned.

Lake Zurich:

Sales are prohibited.

Libertyville:

Marijuana sales were unanimously banned.

Lisle:

Sales will not be allowed in the village.

Long Grove:

The town unanimously voted to ban marijuana sales.

Marion:

Sales will be prohibited in the city.

Mokena:

Recreational pot sales were unanimously banned.

Morton:

The village unanimously voted to ban marijuana business.

Murphysboro:

Leaders banned the sale of marijuana, in part because they believe there will be no interest from businesses.

Naperville:

Although Naperville was one of the first places to receive a license to sell marijuana, the city voted to ban it.

O’Fallon:

The city voted 13-1 to ban marijuana sales. A referendum may be approved for the March 2020 primary to see public opinion, however.

Orland Park:

Sales were unanimously banned.

Park Ridge:

Sales will be prohibited.

Plainfield:

Marijuana will not be allowed in the village.

Wheaton:

Cannabis businesses will not be allowed in the city. However, medical marijuana dispensaries are allowed, although they do not currently have one.

Winnetka:

Officials voted not to allow marijuana sales until zoning codes can be updated. It is unclear when that will take place.

Municipalities that will allow marijuana sales

Aurora:

Four dispensaries were approved by the city.

Buffalo Grove:

Two dispensaries will be allowed, but they come with heavy restrictions after many people showed up at a forum in opposition to marijuana. Marijuana-based products will not be allowed to be consumed at these locations.

to top of second column]

Carbondale:

Sales will be allowed, with leaders citing the city’s party college atmosphere as one reason it will be beneficial.

Carol Stream:

The village will allow recreational marijuana sales, but they will be subject to previously approved zoning regulations.

Chicago:

Marijuana sales will be allowed across the city. However, the City Council approved an exclusion zone that covers much of the Loop as well as the Central Business District up Michigan Avenue.

Collinsville:

The city will tax sales at 3%. They also already have one of two medical marijuana dispensaries in the Metro East area.

Crystal Lake:

Sales will be allowed, but businesses may not grow marijuana. The sales will also be taxed at 3%.

Danville:

Marijuana sales will be allowed. However, officials are looking for more ways to restrict where it can be sold.

Darien:

A survey showed a majority of the residents supported recreational marijuana.

East Peoria:

Marijuana sales will be allowed with a 3% sales tax.

Edwardsville:

A vote to ban recreational marijuana tied 4-4, which means sales will be allowed.

Effingham County:

Sales will be allowed, but the county board will implement a 3.5% retailers occupation tax.

Elburn:

Sales will be allowed in the village.

Galesburg:

A dispensary will open at the former location of an Aldi.

Joliet:

Recreational sales will be allowed, but more discussion will take place about where sales will be allowed.

Lombard:

Marijuana businesses were unanimously approved, provided the village approves their zoning location.

Mundelein:

Mundelein already has a medical marijuana dispensary and a license was approved for recreational sales with some restrictions.

Mount Vernon:

Sales will be allowed in the city.

North Aurora:

Recreational marijuana will be allowed. The village already has a medical marijuana dispensary.

Northbrook:

Marijuana sales were unanimously approved, except in the downtown area.

Oak Park:

Recreational marijuana will be allowed along with their existing medical marijuana dispensary.

Riverside:

Marijuana businesses will be permitted along Harlem Avenue.

Schaumburg:

Sales will be allowed with a tax of 3%. Retailors will also need to register with the village.

Springfield:

The city unanimously voted to allow sales with a 3% sales tax.

St. Charles:

Two shops will be allowed, each on the opposite end of the city from one another.

Urbana:

Sales will be allowed with a 3% sales tax.

Waukegan:

Recreational sales will be allowed after the mayor broke a 4-4 tie on the resolution.

West Dundee:

Recreational sales will be allowed with a 3% sales tax.

Worth:

Sales will be allowed for a 3% sales tax with the hope of generating more revenue for the village.

Zion:

Recreational sales will be allowed, although more work still must be done to decide what restrictions will be in place.

Click here to respond to the editor about this article

< Recent commentaries

Back to top