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Sandwich City Council majority opposes marijuana sales in straw poll

In a straw poll conducted during a committee meeting Monday evening, Nov. 18, Sandwich City Council members voted, 5-3, against permitting the sale of recreational marijuana.

The council also directed City Attorney Jessica Harrill to draft an ordinance against allowing the sale of recreational marijuana within municipal limits.

Aldermen Shane Surratt, Pete Dell, Cara Killey, Les Redden and Mayor Rich Robinson voted against an ordinance permitting the sale of marijuana, while Aldermen Kevin Kelleher, Fred Kreinbrink and Sheryl Chmielewski voted in favor.

City Clerk Denise Ii said Tuesday morning that it was unclear whether the ordinance would prohibit all sales of marijuana or if there would be a distinction between recreational and medicinal sales.

The ordinance will be brought before the council at its meeting 7 p.m., Nov. 25 at City Hall.

Adult use recreational marijuana will become legal in Illinois effective Jan. 1 under legislation passed by the General Assembly and signed into law in June by Governor JB Pritzker.

Under state law, the village and other municipalities and counties across the state have the option of permitting and regulating retail and production marijuana businesses under their own local zoning ordinances. They also have the option of barring the businesses.

Municipalities who permit the businesses will be able to levy a sales tax of up to 3% on all local retail marijuana sales.

Members of the public have previously made their voices heard on the matter of marijuana sales during Sandwich City Council meetings. During the council’s Nov. 4 Committee of the Whole meeting, a resident provided public comment in support of sales, bringing with him a petition with more than 100 signatures. In late October, several residents spoke at a Committee of the Whole meeting regarding adult use retail marijuana.

Source: The Daily Chronicle

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