Naperville Cannabis Referendum Projected To Pass

NAPERVILLE, IL — The city of Naperville's referendum question about cannabis sales that appeared in Tuesday's primary election is projected to pass, with 53 percent of voters answering "yes."

The question read: "Shall the city of Naperville, in light of state legislation legalizing the possession, consumption, and sale of recreational adult use cannabis, allow the sale of recreational adult use cannabis within its jurisdiction?"

In total, 15,426 voters chose "yes" in response to the question; 13,453 chose "no."

With 100 percent of precincts reporting in DuPage County, 10,648 voters, or 55.5 percent, chose "yes." DuPage County saw 8,531 voters, or 44.5 percent, choose "no."

Voters in Will County were less favorable to the referendum question. With 100 percent of precincts reporting, a total of 5,011, or 51.9 percent, of voters chose "no," whereas 4,778 voters, or 49.8 percent, chose "yes."

The referendum question comes after Naperville opted out of recreational cannabis sales prior to Jan. 1, 2020, when recreational cannabis dispensaries became legal throughout Illinois. The debate over cannabis in Naperville has often been heated, with members of Opt Out Naperville coming out in full force to city council meetings.

The Naperville City Council will review the advisory results at an upcoming meeting.