ROCHELLE – With the legalization of recreational marijuana in Illinois, small town leaders across the state are trying to get their arms around the various laws and whether they want to allow dispensaries.

City of Rochelle officials held a special town hall meeting Monday night to discuss the new Cannabis Regulation and Taxation act that will be going into effect Jan. 1, 2020 and approximately 50 people attended.

The main focus of the meeting was to inform the community of the new laws and what they will mean, as well as to get feedback from residents on the possibility of dispensaries opening in town.

During a candidate’s forum earlier this spring, several current city leaders weighed in on the legalization of cannabis and the consensus seemed to favor allowing dispensaries and the accompanying tax revenue provided certain ordinances and protections were put in place.

The new laws allow adults 21 years and older to possess up to 30 grams of cannabis and up to five cannabis plants in their home for personal use.

“The possession and sale of cannabis is only going to be allowed to those who are 21 and older. Do kids under the age of 21 smoke cannabis, yes, is it happening now, but the sale will not be lawful,” explained Dominick Lanzito, Rochelle city attorney.

While it is legal to purchase and possess cannabis if 21 or over, it was brought up in the meeting that it will still be illegal to consume in any public places or non-designated areas. It will also be illegal to consume cannabis while driving or before driving a motor vehicle or in close proximity to a school, church, playground or anyone underage.

“This isn’t going to become a scenario where people are just walking down the street consuming marijuana,” said Lanzito.

If the city does decide to allow dispensaries to open within town, possible locations were also brainstormed during the meeting. A possible idea for where the dispensaries could be located would be within the industrial district in order to keep them away from schools and children.

“As a staff, what we have talked about is that if it is allowed, we will be recommending to the planning commission and ultimately the mayor and city council to put them in the “red areas,” which are industrial type zoning. We are trying to keep it away from areas that have schools and neighborhoods and parks,” stated Jeff Fiegenschuh, city manager, adding the most effective way of controlling the dispensaries is with the city zoning ordinances.

Public comment

During the forum, community members were given the opportunity to write down questions, comments and concerns that were read aloud and addressed by the city manager and village attorney. There were many different opinions on the topic, some attendees in favor of legalization and others opposed.

“This a hot issue with me because I had a son addicted to the stuff and it was ruining his life, and thank God he got off of it and he is clean, he is a new man,” exclaimed one resident.

“We have seen what has happened in other states and they have come out very well with it. I as an ordained minister stand behind this one hundred percent, with no baggage on my part because I have never smoked in my life,” said another citizen attending the meeting.

No decisions or ordinances were made at the meeting, and more discussions are likely between now and the end of the year.