|
Yeah, from Crains this morning:
https://www.chicagobusiness.com/government/no-weed-sales-downtown-team-lightfoot
The mayor debuts her first moves into regulating recreational marijuana in the city.
As Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s administration makes its first moves into regulating the recreational marijuana industry, it is releasing guidelines on where the new businesses can locate—and they're all outside the city’s central business district.
The state will grant as many as 91 licenses to Chicago sellers, which will be divided among seven zones in the city. Initially, no zone will be allowed to have more than seven locations. Eventually, that number will climb to 14.
That number of city licenses will likely increase, but it is unclear how soon. Denver, less than half the size of Chicago, has more than 500 dispensaries. Los Angeles has more than 150 and is allocating more licenses, said Deputy Mayor Samir Mayekar.
“Today’s ordinance is the first of several regulatory measures to be undertaken by the city of Chicago to establish the safe and responsible implementation of legalized cannabis next year,” Lightfoot said in a statement.
The central business district exclusion area will include Oak Street to the north, Lake Michigan to the east and Ida B. Wells Drive to the south, with the western boundary being LaSalle Street in River North and the Chicago River in the Loop. Lightfoot will introduce the restrictions at tomorrow's City Council meeting.
“The frame of this is to really focus on equity and making sure we use an equity lens as this industry grows,” Mayekar said, adding that the city’s regulations nudge market outcomes but do not force them. “I think this is a pretty nuanced regulation that takes into account the demand of the market. The real design principle here is to ensure we don’t have over-saturation in a particular zone. . . .The seven zones were created in a way that they have more or less the same population. The goal is to have equal distribution per capita of dispensaries.”
The new regulations put cannabis companies in a tricky spot, balancing commercial and political interests, pushing for the best retail locations or deferring to a new administration.
"GTI is interested in opening a recreational cannabis store in the city and the draft ordinance leaves plenty of attractive locations," said a spokesperson for Green Thumb Industries. "We also applaud the city’s efforts to maximize economic opportunities for social equity applicants and communities disproportionately impacted by cannabis prohibition."
Mayekar doesn’t foresee a significant hit to city revenue by banning downtown sales. “I don’t think we have that concern that there won’t be adequate revenue generation opportunities. . . .Outside the exclusion zone, there are many tracts where dispensaries can open, a short walk, Lyft or Uber ride away.”
Once a zone fills up, operators will be forced to fill others, Mayekar said. “There will be caps in certain areas, so if you want to be in business, you’ll have to look at other areas to open up.”
All dispensary hopefuls, after receiving their state license, will have to go through the city’s Zoning Board of Appeals to receive special approval. That ensures community members have an opportunity to sound off on locations.
Medical dispensaries that have already cleared zoning “will be able to flip the switch” and start selling on Jan. 1, 2020, Mayekar said.
Dispensaries cannot set up shop within 1,500 feet of another dispensary, within 500 feet of a school, within a residential zoning district or in any building with a residential unit.
The state has created a point system to help "social-equity applicants" and new entrants to the market. It is also identifying "disproportionately impacted areas" and creating a $30 million loan program and fee waivers for certain applicants. Mayekar said the city might consider chipping in to help applicants, and is also working on workforce development programs.
In coming weeks the city will announce a framework for what consumption sites might look like, in conjunction with the city’s Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection.
In a Sun-Times editorial, Lightfoot wrote the City Colleges of Chicago must also take advantage of the opportunity recreational marijuana brings. “The Illinois Department of Agriculture will work with the Community College Board to create eight pilot programs across the state. Of the eight programs, five will be awarded to schools where more than 50% of students come from low-income households. Chicago will prepare our students to be at the forefront of this emerging industry, which will create local jobs in our communities. The City Colleges will lead this effort.”
Lightfoot wrote that she would also be working with the Chicago Police Department to “deter overly aggressive enforcement of minor cannabis possession violations,” and will partner with local universities and medical centers “to explore innovative public health and socially responsible entrepreneurial strategies, to develop pathways for involvement in the industry as it matures.”
_________________ The Original Spanky wrote: I don't like white rappers.
|
Login
Register
FAQ
Search
