Cannabis Survey Suggests Winnetka, Glencoe Split On Spliffs

WINNETKA-GLENCOE, IL — More than one out of five Winnetka-Glencoe Patch readers who participated to a recent poll have visited a recreational marijuana dispensary, as of six months after the legalization of cannabis in Illinois.

Both towns have prohibited cannabis businesses within their municipal boundaries. When asked in the recent unscientific survey if their local officials should change course and modify zoning codes to allow for marijuana shops in town, self-identified Winnetka, Glencoe and Northfield residents were divided down the middle.

While respondents from other north suburban communities favored allowing more pot shops by an average 30-point margin, the survey found the Winnetka-Glencoe community split 50-50.

Legalization was slightly less popular among Winnetka-Glencoe Patch readers than other north suburban respondents to the poll, which garnered nearly 1,700 responses this week.

Two-thirds of local readers said the state legislature made the right decision when it voted to legalize the possession and sale of recreational cannabis in June 2019, compared to three out of four across north suburban communities polled.

Local respondents broadly shared the view of their North Shore counterparts when it comes to how the implementation of cannabis legalization has proceeded when compared to expectations.

Respondents who supported allowing recreational marijuana businesses in town were asked where they would like the tax revenue to be allocated. The most common responses were property tax relief, infrastructure and social services

When respondents were asked what they would change about the state's cannabis rules, several suggested returning to the days of cannabis prohibition. Others suggested lowering taxes to cut down on the opportunity for underground sales.