Anna City Council approves recreational cannabis resolution, ordinance

Anna City Council Meeting, Oct. 1
Sales of recreational cannabis are set to begin on Jan. 1, 2020, in Illinois.

A resolution and an ordinance related to the sale of recreational cannabis were on the agenda at last week’s regular meeting of the Anna City Council.

The council met in regular session on Tuesday evening, Oct. 1, at Anna City Hall.

A Christmas holiday season parade and a proposal to develop a disc golf course at the Anna City Park also were on the agenda for the Oct. 1 meeting.

Recreational Cannabis

The sale of recreational cannabis in the Union County community had been addressed at a previous city council meeting in September.

A medical cannabis dispensary currently operates in the Anna city limits. Thrive Dispensary opened in the spring of 2016. 

A representative of the dispensary had approached the city council in September to talk about plans for the sale of recreational cannabis at the dispensary.

Sales of recreational cannabis are set to begin on Jan. 1, 2020, in Illinois. 

In August, the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, IDFPR, announced the first “Same Site” adult use cannabis licenses.

The licenses will allow an existing medical cannabis dispensary to obtain an adult use dispensing license.

IDFPR explained that the license will permit the dispensary to begin adult use cannabis sales at that location starting on Jan 1, 2020, provided that the dispensary complies with local zoning rules or other local laws.

The state agency reported that as of Aug. 29, five medical dispensaries in Illinois had applied for, and received, early approval adult use licenses. 

The department said in a news release at the time that it anticipated receiving additional applications for early approval adult use licenses as Illinois municipalities adopt relevant zoning ordinances regarding adult use cannabis.

Starting on Jan. 1, 2020, the law will permit Illinois residents who are at least 21 years old to legally possess up to 30 grams of cannabis concentrate.

Local guidelines regarding the potential sale of recreational cannabis were the focus of discussion at the city council’s meeting on Oct. 1.

After discussion and input from several community members who attended the meeting, the council approved:

•A resolution related to an adult use dispensing organization license pursuant to the Cannabis Regulations & Tax Act.

•An ordinance related to a municipal cannabis retailer’s occupation tax in the City of Anna.

The council heard comments and concerns from five persons regarding the potential sale of recreational cannabis in the community.

Cindy Swope, one of those who addressed the council, said she was “very concerned” about the availability of recreational cannabis in Anna.

She addressed concerns about the impact on young people in the community. “My heart is for the kids. I hate to see this available,” she said.

She also wondered if revenue generated by the sale of recreational cannabis would outweigh the potential costs related to such matters as law enforcement. 

“Is this the way we want to be known?” she asked.

Should recreational cannabis become available at the dispensary, Cherry Connolly, another one of those who spoke with the council, said the product would be in a very well-controlled facility.

She said that medical cannabis has “proven to be really good medicine for a variety of ailments.”

“It helps a lot of people. Give it a chance.”

After hearing the concerns, and further discussion, the council unanimously approved both the resolution and the ordinance.

The Anna dispensary still must secure a state license for the sale of recreational cannabis.

The ordinance calls for the levying of a 3 percent tax on the sale of recreational cannabis.

In other business at the meeting, the city council approved a motion to proceed with the possible development of a disc golf course at the Anna City Park.

The council also approved a resolution for a Christmas holiday season parade which is planned on Nov. 30.

Disc Golf Course

Community member John Wingate presented a proposal to city officials for the development of the disc golf course.

Wingate spearheaded efforts to develop a disc golf course in Cobden. 

In information which he presented to the city council, Wingate offered a wide range of benefits that a disc golf course would offer.

“Disc golf is considered a lifetime fitness activity, promoting an active lifestyle and helping to prevent obesity,” he stated.

“Disc golf offers park visitors a fun, healthy way to exercise with friends and family,” he continued.

“Disc golf equipment is surprisingly inexpensive to install and maintain.

“Disc golf can highlight the features of your property and utilize areas that can’t support other activities.

“A well designed course draws recreational disc golfers to your town. Disc golf tournaments can also increase hotel room nights by drawing competitive players from across your region.”

He added that a “disc golf course represents one of the best investments that can be made by the parks and recreation division of any municipal government.”

Wingate presented an estimated cost in the range of $6,000 for the development of an 18-hole disc golf course at the Anna City Park. 

After hearing the presentation, the council voted to allow city administrator Dori Bigler to look into pursuing the project.

Holiday Parade

The proposed holiday season parade which was approved by the council is set for 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 30 along South Main Street in the downtown Anna area.

The parade will be part of an overall effort to gather Christmas gifts for children in need. 

The parade will be held in conjunction with a Christmas in Downtown celebration.

The Gazette-Democrat

112 Lafayette St.
Anna, Illinois 62906
Office Number: (618) 833-2158
Email: news@annanews.com

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