Marijuana Sales And Gambling In Elmhurst?

ELMHURST, IL — Elmhurst's mayoral candidates on Sunday indicated some willingness to revisit issues such as the city's bans on recreational marijuana sales and video gambling.

During a virtual forum by the League of Women Voters, the candidates were asked about pandemic-caused budget shortfalls and their positions on allowing marijuana sales and video gambling to increase the city's income.

In 2019, the City Council voted unanimously to ban recreational marijuana businesses in Elmhurst. That consensus included all three mayoral candidates in the April 6 election — Michael Bram, Scott Levin and Mark Mulliner.

In 2015, the council voted 11-3 against allowing video gambling. Bram and Levin were in the majority, while Mulliner was in the minority.

In response to the question Sunday, Bram said he had already indicated in a Facebook live session last year that he would support bringing back the issues of marijuana sales and video gambling to the council.

He said his position was not driven by budget shortfalls, but because Elmhurst can now review the experiences of other towns that have allowed recreational marijuana sales and video gambling.

Levin said the city would not accept revenue from any source that would negatively affect the community and its children.

"While I say no to gaming, we should carefully evaluate the experience of cannabis sales in communities that have allowed it and provide our residents the opportunity to fully participate in that discussion," Levin said.

Mulliner said the city should consider allowing video gambling to level the playing field with surrounding towns that allow it.

"We need to make it an equal playing field for all the businesses in our community as well as those in other communities," Mulliner said.

Mulliner did not specifically address recreational marijuana sales.