ROCHELLE – Marijuana dispensaries in Rochelle could be a reality in the not so distant future.
The Cannabis Taxation and Regulation Act was signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker back in late June, meaning recreational marijuana use will no longer be illegal for adults starting Jan. 1, 2020.
The City of Rochelle will hold a Town Hall meeting on Monday, Aug. 19 at 6 p.m. to discuss the details of the new law and there will be conversation about whether Rochelle will be allowing dispensaries, and if so, what part of town would they be permitted.
“We are going to be doing a PowerPoint presentation and getting with the attorney to talk about the specifics of the law, some of the grey areas, if its allowed in Rochelle, what parts would it be allowed in and ultimately what steps the city would have to go through to allow a dispensary,” explained Jeff Fiegenschuh, city manager.
The majority of the Rochelle City Council will be present at the meeting and the meeting is open to the public. The meeting is meant to inform the public of the new law and gather feedback and interest from the community. There will be no votes or decisions made that night.

“It is a public information meeting to talk to the community about what this law is. There is not going to be a vote and the main point of the meeting is going to be talking about the law that was passed by the state and what it is and isn’t,” added Fiegenschuh.
Fiegenschuh pointed out that city council and staff aren’t sure how community members might react to the possibility of legal cannabis dispensaries popping up in Rochelle, but if residents are going to be able to legally purchase cannabis products in other towns, then local leaders at least need to look at the revenue possibilities.
“I think there is probably apprehension about the legalizing of adult cannabis, but the way the law is written people are allowed to smoke it and if people are allowed to partake in that, then maybe the city should look into generating some revenue off that,” he said.