Willowbrook trustees decided to permit medical marijuana dispensaries in industrial zoning districts but also asked the plan commission to reconsider allowing them in retail districts.
“I think some of the board members feel that (dispensaries) are similar to pharmacies,” Village Administrator Tim Halik said. “Pharmacies, like CVS and Walgreens, are in retail districts.”
Members of the plan commission last month split 3-3 on the matter, divided between allowing dispensaries as a special use in industrial districts and allowing them in all non-residential areas, including retail districts. One commissioner was not present for the vote.
More Top Picks Code Reader
Halik said several dispensaries have approached officials about locating in Willowbrook, and one representative was disappointed by trustees’ action to allow them as a special use in industrial districts.
Businesses seeking a special use permit must undergo a public hearing before the plan commission and a final vote by the village.
State dispensary applications were due the same day as the Willowbrook meeting, which means it will be too late to apply this year because dispensaries must list the location on the application.
State law currently allows for 60 dispensaries throughout Illinois and only three in DuPage County.
The medical marijuana law took effect in January. It allows for the legal possession, use and sale of marijuana for some 40 medical conditions, including HIV, AIDS and cancer. The law is more restrictive than those in some other states, where use of the drug is allowed for catchall categories like chronic pain.
The Illinois law also requires that patients have an existing relationship with a physician who can provide documentation to support the medical need to use the drug.
The law allows for 22 marijuana cultivation centers with a maximum of one in each state police district.