Ford County officials in both Paxton and Gibson City want some input regarding the sale of recreational marijuana before it become legal in Illinois. The two communities plan to discuss whether or not to ban the sale of recreational pot when the state deems ii legal on January 1st. The Ford County Record reports the Illinois Municipal league sent municipalities a sample ordinance to accomplish a ban.

Whether to prohibit retail sales of recreational marijuana in Paxton and Gibson City is expected to be a topic of discussion in the two Ford County communities in upcoming months.

Paxton Mayor Bill Ingold and Gibson City Mayor Dan Dickey say the matter will be talked about. Feedback from the community and law enforcement is welcome. Other communities are also considering a ban.

The Illinois Municipal League (IML) sent resource material about the local regulation of recreational marijuana to its member municipalities last week. The informational material states “While local governments are required to allow medical cannabis dispensaries subject only to local zoning provisions, adult-use cannabis business establishments may be prohibited.”
The IML’s model ordinance for prohibiting cannabis businesses states that a city has the authority to regulate such businesses pursuant to the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act, which was signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker on June 25.

The IML recommends a public hearing be held in advance of the adoption of such an ordinance to create a record that supports that determination.

94.1 WGFA