ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the City Manager with a Request to Authorize Staff to Provide LETTERS OF SUPPORT to Applicants for Permits for CANNABIS CULTIVATION and/or DISPENSING OPERATIONS.
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BACKGROUND:
At its August 12, 2014 meeting, the City Council approved marijuana cultivation operations as permitted uses within the City's industrially zoned areas. Staff also determined that marijuana dispensary operations would be permitted uses within any zoning district in which a pharmacy would be allowed. The state will soon be releasing final version of the permit applications for both cultivation and dispensary operations. The state will issue one cultivation permit in each of its 22 Illinois State Police (ISP) Districts. Peoria is in District 8 which includes Peoria, Tazewell, Woodford, Stark and Marshall counties. To date, media reports indicate potential applicants have expressed interest in Pekin, Lacon, Delavan, and potentially a location in Stark County. For dispensaries, a total of 60 permits will issued. These permits are not tied to ISP Districts, but rather will be "geographically dispersed throughout the State to allow all registered qualifying patients reasonable proximity and access to a dispensing organization." Given the size of the Peoria metropolitan area, staff believes that two dispensaries will be permitted in this area.
Over the past few months, City staff has been contacted by a number of different organizations seeking to obtain a license for a either a cultivation or dispensing operation inside the City. Given the buffer restrictions and other economic factors, there are a very limited number of viable locations for cultivation operations. Still, interest in Peoria is strong from both segments.
Prior to and at the Council meeting, there has been discussion of the City providing letters of support for entities pursuing permits within City limits. Such letters might be an important difference maker...
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