Recreational Cannabis
On June 25, 2019, Governor Pritzker signed into law the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, making Illinois the 11th state to legalize recreational cannabis sale and use. The Act provides for the State licensure of a variety of adult-use cannabis business establishments, preserves the legalization of medical cannabis and includes a provision allowing "home grow" cannabis by medical cannabis program participants only. Recreational marijuana use by adults 21 and over will become legal on January 1, 2020. Municipalities may not restrict the private consumption of cannabis as authorized by the Act. The Act does however prohibit the use of cannabis in public places, schools and child care facilities among other locations. Municipalities may adopt and enforce local ordinances to regulate possession and public consumption of cannabis so long as the regulations and penalties are consistent with the Act.
The State of Illinois is allowing municipalities to decide whether to prohibit recreational cannabis businesses from locating in their communities or to allow these type of uses subject to local zoning restrictions. In addition to granting or restricting the authority of adult-use recreational dispensaries, municipalities have the option of authorizing on-site consumption of cannabis (i.e. - cannabis cafes / smoke lounges), as well as the co-location of craft growers, infusers and cultivation centers.
On November 18th, 2019, the Gurnee Village Board approved Ordinance 2019-78 which prohibits the sale of recreational cannabis in Gurnee. Gurnee has joined over a dozen other Lake County communities that have approved similar ordinances opting-out of the sale of recreational cannabis.
