City Panel Might Decide in November on Planned Medical Marijuana Dispensary
A decision on whether a medical marijuana dispensary will open in the heart of Chicago’s Chatham neighborhood may not occur until at least November.
The Chicago Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) agreed last Friday to extend its hearing to Nov. 20 to allow meetings between residents and the business group that wants to build the dispensary at 1111 E. 87th St.
Members of Illinois Grown Medicine, LLC (IGM), asked for the extension so that they can meet with Chatham area residents to explain the controversial project.
Supporters of the project have touted the dispensary as a business that could provide an economic boost. City officials identified 30-40 supporters in favor of the dispensary.
But about 65-70 opponents of the proposed dispensary attended the appeals meeting at Chicago City Hall, 121 N. LaSalle St.
Some opponents held signs stating, “We don’t want it.”
One high profile opponent is Ald. Michelle Harris (8th Ward).
“Today, my community is here and I will support my community,” Harris told the ZBA.
Resident Robert Douglas said, “We just don’t want it.”
Another critic, Dedra Delaney, complained that the business would be too close to a child care facility, something the business group denied.
Delaney also complained that one of the operators of the planned business has a criminal background, another allegation denied by the business group.
But resident Don Bransford, a supporter of the proposed medical marijuana dispensary, said that it would help people suffering from medical conditions.
Supporter J.T. Stinnette, a lawyer who lives in the Chatham neighborhood, said the facility would bring jobs to the area.
Melinda Kelly, executive director of the Chatham Business Association, told the ZBA she was “in support of the economic development opportunities afforded by the state of Illinois Medical Cannabis Pilot Program Act . . ., which would allow for the growing and dispensing of medical cannabis.”
Kelly said IGM is the only minority-owned, African American locally based company licensed for both cultivation and a dispensary.
“African American business members have significant impact on our communities because they create and sustain employment opportunities for our communities, thus combating crime and poverty while encouraging literacy, education and entrepreneurship on a local level,” Kelly said.
After the meeting, Ald. Harris said, when her constituents don’t support a project, she doesn’t “support the issue” and said she plans to give specific reasons on why she isn’t backing the project at the November meeting.
Les Hollis, CEO of the proposed dispensary, said he had no comment on Harris’ decision but is looking forward to future meetings with residents to show how the project will be an asset to the South Side.
He said the dispensary would be the only one in the area and added that it would create nearly a half dozen jobs that could grow to two dozen jobs.
Hollis also added that complaints that the facility would be operated by someone with drug convictions is not true. He also said that another complaint by a resident that the U.S. Justice Department is cracking down on his business is not true saying critics are confusing his firm with another one that is in California and has no affiliation with his business.
The business also doesn’t violate any laws on being too close to schools or daycare facilities, Hollis said.
He added the facility would be secured.
“This is absolutely a critical service,” Hollis said. “It would be a shame for the only area to not have a (dispensary) is on the South Side.”
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