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2019/08/21 - Walter's Blog: Conversation About Cannabis

Democracy on the Front Lines
City Administrator’s Blog
Walter Denton
 

To sell or not to sell cannabis. That is the question facing the O’Fallon City Council. As you may know, the State of Illinois legalized recreational cannabis. There are restrictions, but on January 1 residents will be able to legally buy, possess, and consume cannabis for personal use.

While possession and consumption will be legal throughout Illinois, the new state law allows municipalities to decide whether cannabis can be sold within their city limits. The City Council is currently considering this question, and they need your help.

There are three basic options (or four, depending on how you look at it):

  • Prohibition: The City Council may enact an Ordinance prohibiting cannabis business establishments in O’Fallon.
  • Regulation: The City Council may choose to allow cannabis retail establishments in O’Fallon. If so, the City can regulate where the stores can be located and how they can operate.
  • Public Opinion
    • Advisory Referendum: The primary election is scheduled for March 17, 2020. The City Council can place an advisory question on the ballot to gauge public opinion.
    • Citizen Survey: A question can be included in the City’s Citizen Survey that would provide a statistically significant response to the public’s opinion on the sale of recreational cannabis.

At the July 29 Committee of the Whole meeting, the City Council instructed staff to prepare an ordinance prohibiting the sale of cannabis in O’Fallon with the intention of holding a referendum at the March 17 election. The issue was further discussed at the August 12 Community Development Committee meeting, and aldermen indicated they wanted to receive more feedback from residents and more information from staff before they make a decision.

Therefore, you are encouraged to contact your aldermen if you have an opinion about the sale of recreational cannabis in O’Fallon. Here is the link to the contact information for the Mayor and City Council. If you would like to speak to the City Council in person, the Community Development Committee will discuss this issue again on Monday, August 26, 6:00 p.m., in the City Council Chambers at O’Fallon City Hall.

This is an important issue for the City of O’Fallon, and we look forward to hearing from you!