Medical Marijuana Dispensary Discussed at CBA Monthly Meeting
Should a medical marijuana dispensary be allowed to open and operate on Chicago’s south side?
Members of the Chatham Business Association (CBA) and other concerned citizens chimed in on the controversial matter during the organization’s monthly meeting on Tuesday at the QBG Foundation/Chicago Citizen Newspaper headquarters building, 806 E. 78th St, Chicago.
Attendees also received the chance to meet, greet and ask questions of the partners of Illinois Grown Medicine, LLC (IGM), a business group who has proposed opening a medical marijuana facility in the heart of Chatham, at 1111 E. 87th St.
Illinois Grown Medicine, LLC is owned in majority by African Americans.
“An opportunity has presented itself to make medical marijuana legal in the state of Illinois and we as an organization have done a lot of research to understand the laws and regulations surrounding this opportunity,” said Melinda Kelly, executive director of CBA. “So we have assembled a team today who will bring all of you up to date and to hopefully help you understand the benefits of this opportunity the way that we do.”
Don Bransford, a self-proclaimed expert on Illinois’ medical marijuana laws, spoke first during the assembly. Bransford, who lives in Chatham, is also a staunch supporter of the proposed dispensary opening there.
“This is not a methadone clinic. This is a retail facility and the laws specifically forbid people from using at the facility,” Bransford said.
Bransford outlined the Illinois Compassionate Use of Cannabis Pilot Program Act, a bill that was introduced by Ill. Sen. Lou Lang (Dist.-16th) and Ill. Sen. Kwame Raoul (Dist.-13th) in Jan. 2013. The bill was passed by both Illinois legislative houses on May 17, 2013 and signed by then Gov. Pat Quinn on Aug. 2013.
The Illinois Compassionate Use of Cannabis Pilot Program Act states: “State law should make a distinction between the medical and non-medical uses of cannabis. Hence, the purpose of this Act is to protect patients with debilitating medical conditions, as well as their physicians and providers, from arrest and prosecution, criminal and other penalties, and property forfeiture if the patients engage in the medical use of cannabis.”
“Are our neighbors as compassionate as our legislators were? Will their fear, uncertainty and doubt out way their neighbor’s chance of an improved quality of life?” Branson questioned as he addressed the audience.
Ald. Michelle Harris (8th Ward), who attended the gathering and spoke clarifying her position on the proposed medical marijuana dispensary said, “This is a state layer process…the state wrote all of the legislation without a lot of input from people so now they say we can have medical marijuana…they have determined where medical marijuana can go.”
Harris had previously been criticized by Chatham residents, for not attending public forums on the proposed dispensary.
“I am here as the Alderman, and as the Alderman, I’m going to fight for my community. I have a great history of listening to my residents and doing exactly what they ask me to do…I listen to my community and that’s why I am the alderman for a third term. I am here to do the will of my community…if they don’t want medical marijuana, Michelle Harris is going to go in front of the ZBA (Zoning Board of Appeals) and say we don’t want medical marijuana in our community.”
But Les Hollis, CEO of the proposed dispensary does want medical marijuana in the Chatham community. In fact he strongly believes that his business will help the neighborhood.
“We’re bringing jobs, we’re bringing a tax base and gentrification, we’re not bringing crime but we’re bringing increased property value. I would argue that the good things we’re bringing vastly out way the negatives,” Hollis told the Chicago Citizen Newspaper.
Hollis, who has been working on the medical marijuana dispensary project for two years, went on to say that his business will create about 10-20 post construction jobs and as the industry evolves that number could increase to 50.
“I knew nothing about this industry two years ago. And now it is a passion as well as business. It has been a steep learning curb the last two years,” he added.
Hollis was joined by his business partners Desiree Tate, Sue Simon Taylor, Craig Moore, Gabe Mendoza, Edie Moore and Andrew DeAngelo. All own stock in Illinois Grown Medicine, LLC.
DeAngelo said bringing such a business to the south side of Chicago is not only good for the health care of potential patients, but also good for the community’s economy.
“It is not possible for us to serve the sick and suffering in this community without the support and collaboration of our local partners and our local businesses. There is plenty of opportunity for all of you…so please reach out to us as we are building this business and looking to bolt on more vendors and more talent.”
(Zach Koutsky, senior advisor to Illinois State Treasurer, Michael W. Frerichs, also attended the CBA meeting to explain how the treasurer’s office will manage cash processing and deposits received in from state agencies on behalf of medical marijuana businesses including the Dept. of Agriculture, Dept. of Public Health, Dept. of Finance and Professional Regulation and the Dept. of Revenue. For additional information, visit www.treasurer.il.gov For additional information on the Chatham Business Association, visit www.cbaworks.org)
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