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Proposal To Allow Sale Of Recreational Cannabis In Buffalo Grove Passes HouseFree Access


Didech

The sale of recreational marijuana could soon be permitted in Buffalo Grove.

The Illinois House of Representatives passed HB 1443 on Tuesday, May 25, which includes a proposal by State Rep. Daniel Didech of Buffalo Grove (D-59th) to end Sunnyside’s impasse with the governor’s office and allow it to sell recreational cannabis in its new location in Buffalo Grove.

Earlier this year, Didech introduced HB 619, which would have allowed Sunnyside, previously located at 1623 Barclay Blvd., to immediately begin sales of recreational cannabis in its new location at 830 Milwaukee Ave. A compromise version of HB 619 was incorporated into the final version of HB 1443, sponsored by Rep. LaShawn Ford (D-Chicago) and approved May 25 by the House with a bipartisan vote of 70-33.

Under the terms of this compromise proposal, Sunnyside can apply to sell recreational cannabis 90 days after the bill is signed by the governor. The application will automatically be approved 30 days after its submission so long as Sunnyside is in compliance with all other provisions of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act passed by the General Assembly in 2019.

Sunnyside was granted a recreational license at its former location, but since they relocated, the state law requires the business to reapply and await state approval before recreational marijuana can be sold at the new location, resulting in the village losing out on significant revenue.

“The tax revenue generated by the Buffalo Grove dispensary will help fund much needed infrastructure improvements, support our police and fire services, and avert unnecessary property tax increases,” Didech said. “I am grateful that Buffalo Grove village officials are prioritizing the economic development of our community, and I will keep fighting to ensure the State of Illinois is supportive of their efforts.”

Rep. Jonathan Carroll (D-57th) released the following statement: “Thank you to the village of Buffalo Grove for its persistence on this issue. We have made it very clear to the governor and his staff for nearly a year-and-a-half that this is one of our top priorities. I am glad that the House of Representatives has taken a leading role on this issue and will finally bring the long-promised dispensary to Buffalo Grove.”

HB 1443 must now be approved by the Senate and signed by the governor to become law. The bill also includes various other changes to the state’s cannabis law, including authorizing new lotteries to award licenses to social equity applicants.

Didech represents the 59th District in the Illinois House of Representatives, which includes most of the Lake County portion of Buffalo Grove as well as communities in Vernon Hills, Mundelein, Wheeling, Lincolnshire, Riverwoods, Indian Creek, and Park City.

Carroll represents the 57th District in the Illinois House of Representatives, which includes the Cook County portion of Buffalo Grove and a small portion of Lake County Buffalo Grove, as well as communities in Northbrook, Wheeling, Glenview, Mount Prospect, Palatine, Prospect Heights, Des Plaines, and Arlington Heights.

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