City of Highwood Plans for a Recreational Marijuana Dispensary

HIGHWOOD, IL (SEPTEMBER 2019):The state of Illinois will commence the sale of cannabis on January 1, 2020 and the City of Highwood is working to be proactive in the early implementation. The City Council requested the Planning & Zoning Commission review the downtown zoning code and identify districts in which to locate a limit of one recreational marijuana dispensary. The City’s Planning & Zoning Commission will meet on September 25 to research potential zoning districts for a potential dispensary looking to open a business.

“As a unified front, the City Council has decided to accept the changes afforded by our Governor and Legislature,” Mayor Charles Pecaro said. “We feel that participating early we can responsibly partner with a dispensary to provide adults of legal age in the North Shore an opportunity to purchase the product of their choice close to home in a safe and friendly environment.”

Illinois was the 11thstate in the country to legalize the sale and use of recreational marijuana for adults and the first in the nation to be passed by a state legislature and signed by a governor. The new law will allow adult residents to buy and possess up to 30 grams of cannabis “flower.” Under the new law, resident adults will also be able to buy and possess edibles and small amounts of highly potent cannabis extracts.

“Highwood’s innovative entertainment district is thriving and this newly legal industry is an opportunity to continue retail growth. Being an early adopter would have advantages including identifying the best business partner for the community and giving Highwood early market share,” says Scott Coren, Highwood City Manager. “We look forward to welcoming a business to Highwood that is equally invested in this opportunity.”

The City Council discussed limiting the number of dispensaries to one, which would need to go through a special use permitting process that includes public hearings and input. City Staff has been directed to meet with potential partners who have operated successful dispensaries. City Staff and the Police Department will be charged with working with potential partners to discuss safeguards to keep products away from minors and limit unsafe consumption.

Conversations about Highwood’s plans for a dispensary to be open in its City will resume at the Committee of the Whole Meeting at City Hall (17 Highwood Ave, Highwood, IL 60040)on Tuesday, September 17 at 6:00 PM. The public is welcome to attend.

For any questions, please contact City Manager Scott Coren at 847-432-1924 or scoren@cityofhighwood.org. The City of Highwood, IL administrative offices are located at 17 Highwood Avenue, Highwood, Illinois 60040. For more information, please visit http://www.cityofhighwood.com.