Grayslake Proactive in Approving Resolution Concerning Marijuana Dispensaries
Village of Grayslake passes a resolution that calls for a public hearing on whether the zoning code should be amended to include medicinal cannabis dispensaries as a special use.
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Grayslake Mayor Rhett Taylor prefaced a vote on a resolution on Tuesday's village board agenda by calling it "an unusual item," but one that needed to be addressed for the sake of being proactive.
In January, the Illinois House of Representatives is expected to vote on HB30, which, if passed, would create the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act.
The act would make make the possession of up to six cannabis plants and 2 ounces of dried usable cannabis legal for patients suffering from a debilitating medical condition, as diagnosed by a doctor.
If HB30 passes—it's failed twice already, but House sponsor Lou Lang (D-Skokie) claims he's close to securing the minimum 60 votes needed for a victory according to the Marijuana Policy Project—registered non-profit medical cannabis organizations would be looking for locations to set up shop.
If that is the case, the Village of Grayslake intends to have its say regarding zoning for such facilities.
The board voted unanimously Tuesday to approve a resolution that directs the plan commission/zoning board of appeals to hold a public hearing on the question of whether the village zoning code should be amended to include distribution facilities as a special use, meaning any request to open one would need village approval via a special use permit.
This is not an issue of whether medical cannabis dispensaries should be allowed, said Taylor. "It is essentially a land use issue."
Through zoning, said Taylor, the village could dictate where dispensaries could and could not locate, such as in a residential area or near a school.
New Jersey's first medicinal cannabis dispensary, the Greenleaf Compassion Center, opened in Essex County on Dec. 6. Two groups sought permission to open dispensaries in Burlington County, New Jersey, but their applications were rejected by the local zoning boards in those towns, according to the Internet news outlet phillyBurbs.com.
What do you think? Take the poll and post a comment.
Jim Anglin
7:55 am on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
I voted no, but it registered as yes.
Nightcrawler
9:19 pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
I voted yes, but it registered "all of the above."
Brad Faxton
5:54 am on Thursday, December 20, 2012
I voted yes and it registered my vote as #5 - D46 teachers should get a raise.
HAL E BERGER
8:23 am on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
YES --- no I don't use it, -- but --
Our country has spent so much time and energy on this problem that it just simply seems time to end it and make it legal. We let people drink and do our best to control and tax that so I suggest do the same here.
I know many people who have used marijuana as cancer patient and it has allowed them to eat and perhaps by eating extend their lives and improve their heath as best as they can. My Mother suffered with cancer terribly and it could have helped but no one could risk the felony/misdemenor charges for an illegal purchase. I to this day am frustrated and angry that I couldn't legally provide that little bit of help to her.
There are many other health issues where people could also benefit. What many of us also forget is that hemp was a cash crop for farming and many other products besides drugs from fabric to rope, etc .
When it comes to real hard narcotics I agree, keep them illegal as they are. When it comes to marijuana, enough already. Well if you want to slow down some of the violence in cities like Chicago try legalizing some of the underground market. There won't be as much for gangs to fight over. As for illegal smokers, if they want it they will get it anyway and society won't benefit from the wasted dollars not spent legally. I suspect that one day we will wake up and realize that we can't regulate things like this in a free society and that it is just a waste of money to keep doing so.
Sarah H.
9:40 am on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
We've already seen that just by making something illegal, it doesn't prevent people from using it or doing the wrong thing with it. This goes for guns, drugs, etc. If we allow people to carry a small amount of marijuana with them for medicinal purposes, it would be easily taxed by the state and other municipalities for revenue, and it would be encouraging safe behavior by allowing for further education of those using marijuana for medicinal purposes. I do not use any drugs, but I do know of several people who would benefit from using medical marijuana. Anyone suffering from severe joint pain, such as is experienced with rheumatoid arthritis, or a lack of appetite due to taking cancer drugs, etc. can benefit from medicinal marijuana. It is definitely an issue of compassion, as no other non-narcotic drug is anywhere near as effective at relieving pain and improving appetite.
Northshore
7:38 pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Jim Anglin, obviously you've had your share of brownies tonight.