Marijuana Moratorium In Morton Grove Could Last Until June 2021

MORTON GROVE, IL — Recreational marijuana businesses will not be setting up shop in Morton Grove anytime soon, as village trustees last week cleared the way for a moratorium of up to 18 months on any cannabis business establishments. Village staff recommended a complete analysis before making any determinations on how to regulate cannabis and adjust the zoning code.

No village commission or committee can consider any applications to operate cannabis business operations before June 30, 2021, no business licenses may be issued and no zoning approval may be granted, under the terms of an ordinance set for final approval at the next meeting of the Morton Grove Village Board.

The village is establishing its cannabis moratorium, which trustees may decide to end before its expiration, "so it can analyze the impacts, both positive and negative," according to a memo prepared by Corporation Teresa Hoffman Liston, "that the recreational sale of cannabis may have on residents, and to determine appropriate conditions and limitations to be placed on such sales if approved."

Liston's memo also notes that the state has yet to adopt the administrative rules for the implementation of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, which will legalize the possession of up to 30 grams of cannabis for adult residents and allow the sale of recreational marijuana to those over age 21. According to the act, the deadline for regulators to publish the administrative rules is Dec. 23.

"As such, a moratorium to carefully review and consider the impacts cannabis related uses have on the public health, safety, comfort, morals and welfare [is] prudent to ensure the orderly development and operation of any Cannabis Business Establishments within the Village," Liston said. "This moratorium will also give the Village an opportunity to research and develop a system whereby these establishments will be required to operate within set uniform guidelines and abide by the enforcement of the Village's zoning laws."

Village officials in Skokie and Niles have passed legislation allowing them to issue permits for cannabis retailers after conducting their own zoning analysis. Glenview trustees passed a ban on recreational cannabis businesses.

So far, the only locations to be granted permission from the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to sell adult-use cannabis next month are existing medical dispensaries, including north suburban locations in Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Evanston and Mount Prospect. The ZenLeaf dispensary at 6428 N. Milwaukee Ave. — located about 1,500 feet from the Niles border — is also expected to receive a "same-site" license.

Village Administrator Ralph Czerwinski told Pioneer Press that two representatives of two dispensaries had met with village staff. He said village staff will study what happens in nearby towns that are allowing cannabis businesses to evaluate how busy they get and how much tax revenue they generate. Most residents who have offered comments on the moratorium appreciated the village's delay, he said.

At the same Nov. 25 meeting, the village board approved an ordinance adding a 1 percent local packaged liquor sales tax, hiked the village's hotel and motel tax from 5 percent to 7 percent, gave preliminary approval to a increase from five to six in the number of permitted video gambling terminals licenseholders may operate and a 3 percent tax on cannabis sales, should trustees decided to allow it in the future.

Trustee John Thill emphasized the moratorium is intended to be temporary. The ordinance is set to get receive final approval at the board's next meeting Dec. 9.