PEORIA, Ill. – The Peoria City Council, now officially has on first reading, proposed changes to an ordinance on how cannabis businesses can operate in the city.
There are a number of proposals including distance between established dispensaries and “social equity applicants,” but none raised the ire of the council more than being able to smoke cannabis on site at a dispensary.
“We would define and allow on-site consumption subject to certain building parameters,” said Patrick Hayes, city Corporation Counsel. “Typically, we’re going to have them comply with the parameters of the Smoke-Free Illinois law.”
A recent city survey indicated 61 percent of those surveyed favored on-site consumption.
But, chances are, city council members are not as high on it as their constituents are.
“What I heard around the horseshoe is that, I think, a majority was opposed to on-site consumption at this time,” said Mayor Rita Ali. “Perhaps that will change down the road. But, from the feedback that I received, we’re not ready to move forward with on-site consumption.”
WMBD News was unable to obtain a copy of the proposed ordinance. But, at least one council member would like to see a change made.
“I am totally opposed to on-side consumption, period,” said Council Member Tim Riggenbach, Dist. 3. “I would like to see that…if not in the ordinance, at least allow it to vote on that separately. I will be unequivocal in my opposition to that.”
The ordinance was before the City Council on first reading. A final vote could come in a couple weeks.
The discussion happened at the same meeting this week where the council okayed a cannabis dispensary being located in the Prairie Crossing Shopping Center.
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