Medical Pot Code Eyed In Western Springs

WESTERN SPRINGS, IL – Western Springs is looking to change its zoning to allow the possibility of a medical marijuana business in town.

On Monday, the Village Board plans to discuss the Plan Commission's recommendation to allow such a firm at a strip mall southwest of Wolf Road and 55th Street.

Alternatively, the staff is proposing to expand such zoning to more commercial areas.

The village says it has no interested parties seeking such as a business in town. It says the changes would be considered a formality.

The strip mall in question now includes a Chinese restaurant, a vape and tobacco shop, a dry cleaner, a nail salon and a gym.

In 2014, the state required that all non-home-rule towns, including Western Springs, allow medical marijuana stores in their zoning regulations. The village placed a pause on defining how such businesses would be allowed.

Since 2019, when the state permitted recreational marijuana, all 55 medical-only marijuana dispensaries in Illinois have expanded to such sales, according to a village memo.

Under state law, towns can choose whether to allow recreational marijuana. Western Springs opted out.

The village memo says Western Springs plans to keep its ban on such stores. That is the case with many wealthy towns, including Hinsdale, Burr Ridge, Clarendon Hills, La Grange and Elmhurst. Darien has a shop.