Algonquin Trustees OK Medical Marijuana Dispensary

McHenry County is one step closer to getting a medical marijuana dispensary.

ILDISP III, LLC has petitioned the village of Algonquin for approval of a special use permit for a Medical Cannabis Dispensary to move into a vacant freestanding build at 1154 N. Main Street in Algonquin, according to village documents. This property is part of a medical/office complex, called the Algonquin Business Center, and formerly was occupied by an MRI facility.

The petition includes an amendment to the planned unit development allowing the construction of an attached garage, which would provide the requisite security for deliveries and removal of waste product, according to village documents.

At a Committee of a Whole meeting on Tuesday, trustees unanimously approved the proposed dispensary, the Northwest Herald reports. The village board is now set to vote on the measure at a Feb. 7 meeting.

“I’m very happy that the village of Algonquin board understands that this isn’t like a hemp shop or anything like that,” Village President John Schmitt said Wednesday. “This is a dispensary for medical purposes that is drastically needed.”

The medical marijuana dispensary would operate similar to a pharmacy, but with higher levels of security, according to village documents. The dispensary, like others in the state, would be highly regulated by the State of Illinois, and can only distribute limited quantities of marijuana or cannabis products to patients with registration from the State, which is based upon verification from a doctor that they have a condition that meet the requirements for medical cannabis.

In August 2013 the State of Illinois enacted the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act (the “Act”), which became effective January 1, 2014. This is a pilot program scheduled to expire at the end of 2017. The act permits one dispensary in McHenry County.

Village officials voiced concerns about security at the medical marijuana dispensary. The village would require the dispensary to provide and install 24-hour per day, 7-day per week real time video surveillance equipment that would be subject to the approval by Algonquin's police chief, which would cover or encompass the entire exterior perimeter of the building.

An ordinance will be brought for approval at the Feb. 7 village board meeting.

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