Naperville Opts Out Of Recreational Marijuana Sales

NAPERVILLE, IL — After weeks of debate, comments from residents, and anti-cannabis rallies, the Naperville City Council voted to opt out of recreational cannabis sales Tuesday. The City Council meeting brought close to 250 residents out to share their comments about the issue, which ended in a 6-3 vote in favor of opting out.

Naperville, which is home to a medical marijuana dispensary, has been weighing the issue of recreational pot sales since Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker approved recreational marijuana use and sales statewide.

The topic of recreational cannabis was discussed for more than three hours at Tuesday's meeting, which was filled with dozens of residents sporting bright orange "Opt Out Naperville" t-shirts and pins.

Melinda Wong, who moved to Naperville with her family in 2011, said she was drawn to Naperville for its "great schools, safety, and diversity."

"If we don't opt out, I fear for the safety of my kids, for the school system that it will affect, and the beautiful atmosphere that we have now. Right now, my kids don't know the smell of marijuana and I hope that they don't have to know that smell for a long time," Wong said.

Melissa Tomei and her husband have been lifelong residents. "vehemently in favor of opting in" Her husband, Mark, uses medicinal cannabis to help relieve symptoms of Tourette's Syndrome."

Tomei said she was grateful that her family could pay the nearly $750 it cost for Mark to get his medical card, but added that not everyone who could benefit from cannabis can afford that initial expenditure.

"Without the legal sale of recreational cannabis in our town, we are keeping the door open for illicit sales from untrustworthy sources."

After the public comment portion of the meeting, City Council members had a chance to sound off on the issue. Council member Kevin Coyne said, "I think it's a very clear and easy decision tonight." He added that neighboring cities Wheaton and Bolingbrook will likely opt out and that he wanted to prevent Naperville from becoming the "marijuana capital of DuPage County."

Council member Brodhead said she has supported opting in from the start. She assured residents, "Your home values will not plummet because of adult use marijuana.

Ultimately, Mayor Steve Chirico joined council members Brodhead and Sullivan in voting to opt in, while the remaining council members made up the majority vote to opt out.

The city council plans to create a referendum in the future to see how residents feel.

Read more:

Rally Aims To Keep Recreational Marijuana Sales Out Of Naperville

Naperville Inches Closer To Banning Recreational Cannabis Sales