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With a bill that would legalize medical marijuana in Illinois awaiting Gov. Pat Quinn's signature, Mundelein officials on Monday prepared the village planning and zoning commission to act quickly if the bill is signed into law.
It's not a matter of "if it passes, but when it passes," Police Chief Eric Guenther said.
And while the village hasn't given the bill much thought, according to Village Administrator John Lobaito, officials approved holding a public hearing within 120 days of the law going into effect to determine how marijuana cultivation and distribution facilities would fit into the village's zoning code.
"A lot of municipalities have passed similar resolutions," Lobaito said before the board approved the measure. "This would direct the plan commission to consider what zoning district this would be placed in as a special use, and that would essentially put the public on notice that this is something that the board has already considered."
The bill, which would be known as the "Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act," passed through the Illinois House on April 17 and the state Senate on May 17. The four-year pilot would allow doctors to prescribe up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana every two weeks to patients who have a debilitating medical condition.
As part of the bill, the state would license 22 growers and allow for as many as 60 distribution centers – one per each senate district.
Guenther said that, with two senate districts in Mundelein, it remains to be seen what the effect of medical marijuana will be in the village.
"This hopefully gives the village the opportunity to determine what's the best location for" growing or distribution centers, he said.
While he said he understands there is a medical need for certain patients to use the drug, he says he stands behind the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police – of which he is a member – in its objections to the bill.
Two and a half ounces "equates to about 185 joints in 14 days, so even if a person smokes three to four joints per day, that leaves them an excess of 130 joints," Guenther said. "Where does that go? There's the potential to have that sold on the streets."
The village would rely on the planning and zoning commission's research and recommendations, Lobaito said, adding that he wasn't sure whether the law would be beneficial to the village in terms of generating tax revenue.
"There are more questions than there are answers at this point, so it's hard to talk about not knowing," he said.
News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: chicagotribune.com
Author: Dan Waters
Contact: https://secure.chicagotribune.com/services/site/connect/
Website: Mundelein preparing for medical marijuana. - chicagotribune.com
It's not a matter of "if it passes, but when it passes," Police Chief Eric Guenther said.
And while the village hasn't given the bill much thought, according to Village Administrator John Lobaito, officials approved holding a public hearing within 120 days of the law going into effect to determine how marijuana cultivation and distribution facilities would fit into the village's zoning code.
"A lot of municipalities have passed similar resolutions," Lobaito said before the board approved the measure. "This would direct the plan commission to consider what zoning district this would be placed in as a special use, and that would essentially put the public on notice that this is something that the board has already considered."
The bill, which would be known as the "Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act," passed through the Illinois House on April 17 and the state Senate on May 17. The four-year pilot would allow doctors to prescribe up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana every two weeks to patients who have a debilitating medical condition.
As part of the bill, the state would license 22 growers and allow for as many as 60 distribution centers – one per each senate district.
Guenther said that, with two senate districts in Mundelein, it remains to be seen what the effect of medical marijuana will be in the village.
"This hopefully gives the village the opportunity to determine what's the best location for" growing or distribution centers, he said.
While he said he understands there is a medical need for certain patients to use the drug, he says he stands behind the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police – of which he is a member – in its objections to the bill.
Two and a half ounces "equates to about 185 joints in 14 days, so even if a person smokes three to four joints per day, that leaves them an excess of 130 joints," Guenther said. "Where does that go? There's the potential to have that sold on the streets."
The village would rely on the planning and zoning commission's research and recommendations, Lobaito said, adding that he wasn't sure whether the law would be beneficial to the village in terms of generating tax revenue.
"There are more questions than there are answers at this point, so it's hard to talk about not knowing," he said.
News Hawk- Truth Seeker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Source: chicagotribune.com
Author: Dan Waters
Contact: https://secure.chicagotribune.com/services/site/connect/
Website: Mundelein preparing for medical marijuana. - chicagotribune.com
