No decisions were made and Mayor Bill Ingold said there won’t be any decisions – anytime soon, regarding the sale of cannabis products in the Paxton community. But the Paxton City Council’s Planning Committee last night heard from several local citizens about the issue.

Citizens expressed overwhelming support for the city to allow at least one recreational marijuana dispensary to set up shop in Paxton … once retail cannabis sales become legal next year in Illinois. The support focused on the need for local revenues to complete projects the city needs.

Residents talked about the city’s ability to impose a 3 percent municipal sales tax on the sale of recreational marijuana products. That revenue would help the local checkbook.

Some talked about the neighboring towns that will benefit from the revenues and Paxton could be left behind if the cannabis sales don’t happen.

Paxton and other communities have talked about a ban on cannabis sales, which would be allowed under the Illinois Cannabis Regulation & Tax Act. Citizens and business folks believe a ban would just push buyers to do business in other communities.

The state will begin issuing licenses for recreational marijuana businesses in the summer of 2020. The law goes into effect January 1.

94.1 WGFA