Cannabis Regulation

Glencoe Regulations

At their December 19 meeting, the Village of Glencoe Board of Trustees voted unanimously to prohibit recreational cannabis business establishments in Glencoe and to prohibit on-premises consumption of recreational cannabis in Glencoe businesses. After the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act was signed into law earlier this year, the topic of recreational cannabis was discussed during five public meetings and the Village Board received significant public input before formally adopting the ban on recreational cannabis business establishments.

Facts about Cannabis Legalization in Illinois

The Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act legalizes the purchase, possession and consumption of recreational cannabis by adults age 21 and over, beginning January 1. Here is some important information regarding this new State law:

Cannabis may only be lawfully purchased from State-licensed dispensaries in quantities allowed under State law
Minors under the age of 21 cannot purchase, possess or consume cannabis (except qualified medical cannabis patients)
Adults may legally consume cannabis in their own private residences; however, landlords may prohibit smoking cannabis in rental properties
It is illegal to consume cannabis in public places, such as parks, sidewalks, restaurants or any place where smoking is prohibited under the Smoke Free Illinois Act
When transporting cannabis in a vehicle, it must be in a sealed, child-resistant, tamper-evident container that is inaccessible while driving
Driving under the influence of cannabis is still illegal

Background, Process Overview and More Information

CANNABIS REGULATION AND TAX ACT

VILLAGE PROCESS AND MEETING SUMMARIES

The Village Board is currently considering whether the operation of recreational cannabis businesses should be allowed in Glencoe, and if so, where and subject to specific regulations. The chart below details the major discussions that have been held as well as those planned for the future, specifically highlighting topics of discussion at each meeting.

Date:	Committee/Commission and Meeting Type:	Topic(s) of Discussion:	More Information:
March 21	Village Board – Committee of the Whole Meeting	General overview of local considerations related to legalization based on draft version of the bill before it was signed into law	March 21 COW Packet March 21 COW Minutes Glencoe News Article
State passes Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act – May 2019
June 20	Village Board – Regular Village Board Meeting	A “red flag” resolution to prohibit the opening of any recreational cannabis businesses prior to such businesses either being incorporated into the Village Code or being prohibited; directed a Zoning Code amendment process to prohibit or allow recreational cannabis businesses Direction/Action: Red flag resolution passed unanimously	Red Flag Memo and Resolution Glencoe Anchor Article Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act
Gov. Pritzker signs Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act into Law (P.A. 101-0027) – June 2019
August 15	Village Board – Committee of the Whole	Overview of the Act and local considerations related to zoning, regulation, law enforcement and taxation Direction/Action: Village Board expressed preliminary interest in allowing cannabis businesses, with a request for more information on potential regulations	August 15 COW Packet August 15 COW Minutes August 15 COW Presentation August 19 Media Release August 20 Glencoe News Article
September 12	Village Board – Committee of the Whole	Potential commercial zoning districts and regulations, including whether cannabis businesses may be allowed as permitted or special uses (which require additional, individual review before being allowed to operate) Direction/Action: Consider allowing recreational cannabis businesses, excluding cultivation centers, as special uses in B2 and HF districts; request Zoning Commission to recommend potential zoning code amendments.	September 12 COW Packet September 12 COW Presentation Zoning District Map September 16 Media Release
October 7	Zoning Commission – Public Hearing and Zoning Code Amendment Recommendations	Public hearing and discussion regarding proposed zoning considerations, should cannabis businesses ultimately be permitted, including which (if any) of the three business districts where businesses may be allowed to operate, hours of operation, distance requirements and appearance. Direction/Action: If recreational businesses are allowed, consider them a special use in the HF (Frontage Road, west of the Edens Expressway) district	Public Hearing Notice October 7 Meeting Packet October 7 Presentation October 7 Meeting Video
November 21	Village Board – Village Board Meeting to Consider Zoning Commission Recommendations	Hear public comments, determine whether to prohibit or allow cannabis businesses, and if allowed, consider Zoning Commission recommendations Direction/Action: The Board directed staff to prepare an ordinance prohibiting recreational cannabis businesses of any kind (including cultivation centers, dispensaries, craft growers, infusers, processors and transporters). This ordinance will be considered by the Village Board at their December 19 meeting.	November 21 Meeting Packet November 21 Meeting Video
December 19	Village Board – Village Board Meeting	Consider ordinance prohibiting recreational cannabis businesses of any kind (including cultivation centers, dispensaries, craft growers, infusers, processors and transporters) Direction/Action: The Board approved ordinances prohibiting recreational cannabis business establishments in the Village and on-premises consumption of recreational cannabis in Glencoe businesses.	December 19 Meeting Packet December 19 Meeting Video

POTENTIAL ZONING CODE IMPLICATIONS

If the Village Board ultimately allows the operation of cannabis businesses, the Village’s Zoning Code must first be amended to allow cannabis businesses to operate in one or more zoning districts (view a map here). As an outcome of the September 12 Committee of the Whole meeting, the Village Board provided feedback to the Zoning Commission regarding potential amendments to the Village’s Zoning Code to allow the sale of recreational cannabis in the Village. Key points of feedback include:

Potentially allow the operation of dispensaries as special uses in the Village’s B2 (Hubbard Woods Plaza area) and HF (Frontage Road, west of the Edens Expessway) commercial zoning districts; prohibit the operation of dispensaries in the B1 downtown business district.
If the use is considered appropriate, then require a special use permit for dispensaries, which allows the Village to individually evaluate any proposed dispensary to determine its compatibility with other land uses in the zoning district and impact on neighboring properties, as well as operational requirements, such as hours of operation, security requirements and other operational considerations.
Potentially allow the operation of cannabis-related businesses other than cultivation centers, such as dispensaries, infusers, transporters or craft growers.

With this feedback from the Board, the Zoning Commission conducted a public hearing at its October 7 meeting to receive public input and to discuss potential amendments to the Zoning Code related to the operation of cannabis businesses, should such businesses ultimately be allowed.

Following public comment and discussion, the Zoning Commission recommended that should cannabis businesses be allowed in Glencoe, that they be confined to special use permits in the HF district. They did not recommend allowing the use in the B1 or B2 districts (in downtown or near Hubbard Woods). A full summary of the Zoning Commission’s recommendations will be made available prior to the next public meeting on the topic. Watch the Zoning Commission meeting video / View the October 7 Zoning Commission meeting packet

IN THE NEWS

MEETING MATERIALS