Maneuvering Marijuana Friendly Municipalities in Illinois: Where You Can Find Recreational Cannabis in IL (and Where You Can’t)
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Exciting times are ahead for the state of Illinois, as recreational Marijuana sales will officially begin at the beginning of the New Year. Illinois was the first state to legalize adult use recreational cannabis through their legislature—a historic day for the state’s government.
The State Left It Up to Communities Whether or Not to Permit Pot Sales
However, not all municipalities were quite as excited about recreational cannabis coming into their towns. Despite statewide cannabis legalization, the IL state government left it up to the individual cities, towns and municipalities to decide if they will permit sales.1 As a result, some communities went so far as to ban sales of recreational cannabis in their municipalities outright.2 This article will explore where you can find recreational cannabis in IL and where you can’t.
Here Are The Communities That Have Banned Recreational Cannabis Sales
The following communities have banned recreational cannabis sales (click on the municipality name to read the corresponding news article, where available, regarding their decision to ban cannabis sales):
Chatham
DuPage County: Cannabis dispensaries will not be allowed in unincorporated areas of the county. The rest of the county will tax and regulate recreational cannabis for adults.
Glen Carbon
Highland Park: The council voted not to even hold a public hearing, which means no cannabis sales will be allowed in the city on Jan. 1.
Lake Forest
Lake Zurich
Libertyville
Mokena
Morton
Orland Park
Park Ridge
Plainfield
Wheaton
Winnetka: City officials decided not to ban cannabis sales until zoning codes can be updated. It is unclear when that will take place.
Illinois Communities That Will Allow Recreational Cannabis Sale in 2020
The following communities have decided to embrace the end of statewide cannabis prohibition and will have recreational cannabis available for sale in 2020:
Aurora: 4 dispensaries have been approved by the city of Aurora.
Buffalo Grove: 2 dispensaries have been approved but come with heavy restrictions. Consumption will not be allowed on the premises at these locations.
Carol Stream
Crystal Lake: Businesses may not grow cannabis but sales are allowed.
Darien
East Peoria
Edwardsville: With the vote to sell recreational cannabis tied 4-4, Edwardsville will sell adult use recreational cannabis in the New Year!
Elburn
Lombard
Marion
Mount Prospect
Mount Vernon
Northbrook
Oak Park
Riverside
Rock Island
Schaumburg
St. Charles
Recent A
References
- Illinois Weed Legalization Guide: Will your city or town sell marijuana? | abc7chicago.com. https://abc7chicago.com/business/will-your-city-or-town-sell-recreational-marijuana/5553943/.
- Where you can and can’t buy recreational marijuana in Illinois. Illinois Policy https://www.illinoispolicy.org/where-you-can-and-cant-buy-recreational-marijuana-in-illinois/ (2019).
