Naperville Inches Closer To Banning Recreational Marijuana Sales

NAPERVILLE — Naperville is one of many western suburbs that have taken the first steps to ban the sale of recreational marijuana within its limits, despite being eyed by entrepreneurs as an ideal location. On Tuesday, the city heard its first reading of an ordinance that would prohibit Naperville businesses from selling cannabis.

According to city council records, two dispensaries have proposed coming to Naperville to sell cannabis for recreational use since Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker signed the Illinois Cannabis Recreation and Taxation act into law. Before the law goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2020, municipalities are able to decide whether to allow recreational pot sales.

In addition to Naperville, Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, and Lisle have already taken initial steps in deciding whether or not to permit recreational cannabis sales.

Naperville's proposed ordinance would amend the city's municipal code by adding a chapter that "prohibits adult use cannabis business establishments other than medical cultivation centers and medical cannabis dispensing organizations." Naperville is currently home to a medical marijuana dispensary that would then be unaffected by the proposed ordinance.

"Cannabis business establishments" are defined as, but not limited to "adult use cannabis cultivation centers, adult use cannabis craft growers, adult use cannabis processing organizations, adult use cannabis dispensing organizations, and adult use cannabis transporting organizations," according to city council documents.

If the ordinance is approved after its next reading, the city would also plan to reserve the right to broaden that definition or amend the ordinance in the future if needed.