Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives
Previous Post: Simmons leads $75 million remake of downtown Alton
Next Post: The perils of lawyerly language
Posted in:
* We’ve all seen the recent stories…
* Winnetka approves resolution halting cannabis sales until officials can examine local ordinances
* Lake Forest and Lake Bluff open to banning recreational marijuana sales
* Suburbs say no to recreational marijuana - Naperville, Libertyville and Bloomingdale vote themselves weed-free.
* Are suburbs going to allow sale of marijuana? So far more say ‘no’ or leaning no
* Northbrook board voices initial approval of first recreational cannabis business proposal
* But there won’t be that many dispensary licenses anyway…
The new law would allow the state’s 55 existing medical marijuana dispensaries to open new retail shops on their current sites, and open a second site elsewhere — but only if local officials allow it.
In addition, applications for up to 75 new dispensaries will be due by Jan. 1, 2020, and are to be awarded by May 1, 2020, so entrepreneurs will want to know which areas will allow them to operate.
So, that’s 190 dispensaries in a state of 12.74 million people with 1,299 incorporated cities, towns and villages, 102 counties and 1,432 townships.
* More from today’s Tribune…
In other states with legal pot, such as California and Colorado, where bigger cities tend to allow it, the majority of local governments ban pot sales. That results in large rural areas with no access to retail shops, which encourages a continued illegal market.
If the same thing happens in Illinois, [Chris Lindsey, legislative analyst for the Marijuana Policy Project] said, it would make a good argument for allowing home delivery, so people who have trouble travelling will have access.
Thoughts?
…Adding… Greg Hinz…
The wife of one of the architects of Illinois’ new law legalizing recreational marijuana [Rep. Kelly Cassidy] has landed a big job with an Elmhurst-based cannabis company.
Revolution Florida, a sister company of Illinois-based marijuana grower and dispensary Revolution Enterprises, named Candace Gingrich vice president and head of business development for the firm’s newly expanded operations in the Sunshine State. […]
Cassidy said in a phone interview she sees no conflict of interest in her spouse accepting the post, and rejected the notion that the job appears like a reward for services rendered.
“I sought an ethics opinion and got it cleared” by the House ethics officer, Cassidy said. Beyond that, she added, Revolution “has gone above and beyond to make sure Candace had no role in Illinois, just to cover appearances.”
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 10:09 am
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: Simmons leads $75 million remake of downtown Alton
Next Post: The perils of lawyerly language
WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.
powered by WordPress.
I don’t understand why there is a cap on the number of licenses. If a business can qualify for a license issue it. Let the market dictate how many dispensaries the state can support rather than imposing an arbitrary cap. To the main question, uber-weed sounds like a good idea to me.
Comment by SAP Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 10:13 am
154 days
Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 10:15 am
Many Du-page towns are leaning towards prohibiting retail sales. City/Village leaders are also lobbying the Dupage County Board to create a zoning (no shops near schools, parks,,…) so hard that it will be near impossible to open shops in unincorporated locations.
Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 10:15 am
Well, we wouldn’t want anyone spending money on pot in all these towns when they could and should be spending it video gambling. #purity
Comment by Michelle Flaherty Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 10:19 am
Banning recreational weed is simply another one of those things that future generations will look at and say “what were they thinking.”
Comment by efudd Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 10:21 am
I suppose they think if you can’t buy it in Winnetka no one will be using it there.
Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 10:21 am
Give it a little time. The addiction to municipal tax collection will surface soon enough.
Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 10:21 am
== it would make a good argument for allowing home delivery ==
I’ve heard that after Canada legalized marijuana the Canadian post office (”Canada Post”) quickly became the world’s largest drug dealer with British Columbia growers offering free shipping to all Canadian addresses.
Comment by Hamlet's Ghost Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 10:26 am
- Cheryl44 -
Winnetka doesn’t want dispensaries in their community. They also don’t allow movie theatres. They also don’t have a Wal-Mart or any dollar stores.
Comment by Steve Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 10:28 am
A few of the town’s mentioned probably don’t need the revenue anyway, plus it’ll keep the riff raff out!
Comment by siualum Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 10:29 am
===I’ve heard that after Canada legalized marijuana the Canadian post office (”Canada Post”) quickly became the world’s largest drug dealer with British Columbia growers offering free shipping to all Canadian addresses.===
I heard from a friend of a friend of a friend that there are apps in Canada that simply require you to show a valid ID (passport works for foreigners) and a home delivery service will show up with a trunk of wares for you to choose from.
With regards to home delivery, someone can correct me but my understanding is that it is still illegal. From the bill, Section 40-25. Part (b):
“A transporting organization may not transport cannabis or cannabis-infused products to any person other than a cultivation center, a craft grower, an infuser organization, a dispensing organization, a testing facility, or as otherwise authorized by rule.”
Comment by njt Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 10:31 am
From the title Rich gave the post, all I could think of was Blue Nose Brewery which then made me look up what bluenose means.
Darn. I used to think they were just some nerds running a great brewery but now I realize they are prigs. Almost makes me not want to go there Friday and enjoy a pint.
Comment by R A T Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 10:34 am
Who will grow their own?…in violation of the law…and be penalized for growing a few plants…while BigCannaBiz “businessmen” grow as many plants as they choose unlimited by the same law.
Purposely limiting access…ensures the survival of the black market…obviously?
Comment by Dotnonymous Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 10:35 am
Maybe Zipper can get together with Dr. Whoopee and get this going.
FREE CORNELL.
Comment by LINK Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 10:36 am
And yet every one of these cities has a liquor (and probably lingerie) store. Should we have dispensaries next to adult bookstores?…or simply have saloon doors (and haughty stares) at the local pharmacy.
Comment by Jocko Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 10:37 am
=or as otherwise authorized by rule.=
That phrase can allow for a lot of possibilities, including home delivery to folks with prescriptions.
OT: I had no idea that Cassidy was married to Newt’s sister.
Comment by JoanP Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 10:39 am
=she sees no conflict of interest in her spouse accepting the post, and rejected the notion that the job appears like a reward for services rendered.=
It is too convenient unless she was already working in the industry. Sorry, not buying this one at all.
Home delivery? Yes. Make any needed changes in the statute and allow for home delivery from Illinois dispensaries only.
=They also don’t allow movie theatres. They also don’t have a Wal-Mart or any dollar stores.=
Is Winnetka the town Footloose was based on?
Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 10:45 am
UberEdibles, anyone?
Comment by cover Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 10:46 am
Adding to the Canada discussion. I was in Toronto BEFORE legalization and there there marijuana dispensaries operating out of retail storefronts in the open — I also saw a cafe that allowed open marijuana smoking.
Comment by Just Observing Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 10:49 am
Illinois House ethics officer. Now that is an oxymoron.
Comment by Chicagonk Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 10:50 am
“UberEdibles, anyone?” I was thinking a joint venture with Domino’s or something.
Comment by Skeptic Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 10:52 am
Purposely limiting access…ensures the survival of the black market…for instance…how will those who are elderly, poor and disabled access cannabis?…is the answer not quite obvious?
Home grow was the solution… denied.
Comment by Dotnonymous Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 10:54 am
Some of those towns remind me of the fellow in my childhood neighborhood. On religious grounds he was adamant that it was wrong to have alcohol in the house so he kept his beer in the garage.
Comment by Proud Papa Bear Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 10:55 am
Hopefully the feds want to take a look at that hire too. Definitely a red flag, and some subpoenas of the correspondence surrounding this hire will be illuminating.
Comment by Interested Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 10:58 am
===vote themselves weed-free.===
LOL
Comment by Nick Name Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 11:08 am
—”Let the market dictate how many dispensaries the state can support”—
The price of marijuana will be high where it is illegal.
There will be a marijuana black market as long as the black market’s risk can be justified by high profits. This should lead to lower prices.
The state is trying to keep the price as high as it was when it was illegal in order to direct that money from the black market into its general revenue.
George Washington put a high tax cost of entry into the whiskey market that kept out small illegal distillers and kept prices high.
As a result he became the wealthiest American and largest producer of whiskey of his time.
This is why marijuana will be kept conditionally legal, and not unconditionally legal like lettuce.
I don’t want to post links but search for Washington’s wealth as the largest producer of whiskey, and for the whiskey tax that lead to the Whiskey Rebellion.
Comment by Glenn Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 11:08 am
“Cassidy said in a phone interview she sees no conflict of interest in her spouse accepting the post”
What, we worked our behinds off for years to get this passed just to reward outsiders? We don’t want nobody nobody sent.
Comment by Grandson of Man Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 11:13 am
Here is something that isn’t being discussed:
No city in Illinois, to my knowledge, has yet updated their local zoning ordinances to allow for recreational cannabis sales. I don’t think any city has even started the public part of the process yet.
IML just released a template ordinance for cities to use for zoning, but even if cities act immediately, you’re still looking at a 45 day local government process to get the codes approved.
The clock is ticking on January 1st. For a new dispensary to open in time for New Years, they are going to have to identify and close on real estate, plan and complete their buildout, hire & train staff, design and build signage, stock inventory etc. All of that within a a couple of months.
At this point, I would guess that less than 10 new dispensaries will be online by 1/1/2020.
Comment by sulla Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 11:14 am
Does the law allow for a storefront dispensary in the same location as a grow facility? The former Shop ‘n Save in Jerome could be repurposed and once again generate revenue for this enclave within Springfield, especially if the City of Springfield were to (foolishly) not permit a dispensary.
Comment by cover Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 11:24 am
First Ms Cassidy sought out and received a patronage job from Tom Dart and now her wife has a big job in the pot business.
Comment by Regular democrat Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 11:51 am
What happened to all the good govt types in rogers park?
Comment by Regular democrat Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 11:53 am
“Gingrich will not have a financial or voting interest in any Illinois-based business license that might be issued to Revolution under the new law for two years. ”
Above is from the press release.
Hmmm. Two years…..
Not to mention that the skill set of being an activist is much different from marketing and biz development (aka sakes).
But surely nothing to see here…
Comment by Fav Human Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 11:53 am
If they allow home delivery, some enterprising pizza parlir owner ought to pay the dispensary to stuff menus in the bag.
On another note, wasn’t Winnetka pondering a TIF district for its blighted downtown?
Comment by The Way I See It Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 12:09 pm
“Hopefully the feds want to take a look at that hire too. Definitely a red flag, and some subpoenas of the correspondence surrounding this hire will be illuminating.”
Whatever you’re smoking is still illegal in Illinois.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 12:16 pm
The tight timeline on this and casino make no sense. Unless, the motivation is “get the taxes flowing ASAP”.
But haste also makes for mistakes and problems.
Comment by Fav human Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 12:29 pm
“Cassidy said in a phone interview she sees no conflict of interest in her spouse accepting the post”
Rep Cassidy has proven to be just like all the rest of the Chicago machine. padding friends, in this case spouses, pockets with political actions, connections and friends.
Comment by Flat Bed Ford Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 12:34 pm
Cannabis is so very prolific that eradicating it in the wild is nearly impossible.
Cannabis is a pernicious herb.
Comment by Dotnonymous Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 12:49 pm
=“Cassidy said in a phone interview she sees no conflict of interest in her spouse accepting the post”=
The conflicted, more often than not, see no conflicts. That why they shouldn’t be the ones to decide whether or not one exists.
Put another way, if you have to weigh in on whether or not you’re conflicted, the answer, more often than not, is you are.
Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 12:54 pm
=Cassidy said in a phone interview she sees no conflict of interest in her spouse accepting the post, and rejected the notion that the job appears like a reward for services rendered.=
Was the job posted for the public to apply? How did her spouse hear about the job?
Since her spouse is now employed by a cannabis company that is headquartered in Illinois, does this mean that Cassidy will need to recuse herself from the trailer bill and any input on administrative rules? Will she now be voting “present” on cannabis and hemp bills moving forward?
Comment by {Sigh} Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 1:05 pm
- cover - Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 11:24 am:
Does the law allow for a storefront dispensary in the same location as a grow facility? The former Shop ‘n Save in Jerome could be repurposed and once again generate revenue for this enclave within Springfield, especially if the City of Springfield were to (foolishly) not permit a dispensary.
===============
That is actually Jerome’s area. I know the mayor of Jerome has come out and said they would be interested it allowing sale. If they allow a combination I think that spot makes perfect sense.
Comment by DocNoyes Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 1:14 pm
“The conflicted, more often than not, see no conflicts. That why they shouldn’t be the ones to decide whether or not one exists.”
“‘I sought an ethics opinion and got it cleared’ by the House ethics officer, Cassidy said.”
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 1:34 pm
If news broke today that the wife of an old-school pol like Terry Link or Bob Rita was named vice president of a casino company weeks after they passed the gaming bill, the controversy would be nothing short of a political earthquake. We’ll see if the same happens to Cassidy, a progressive “reformer” who has friendly relationships with Chicago and Springfield reporters. Given that few in the media questioned her double-dipping in the Sheriff’s department, I’m not expecting much outrage over this.
Comment by Shhhh Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 1:48 pm
Thoughts? Sure, it looks sketchy but I don’t think Cassidy’s wife should be doomed to a life of unemployment just because her spouse has a job with far reaching effects +/- into many, many industries.
RE: Towns opting out. Up to them, I guess, until the residents become comfortable making some demands, en-mass. (I won’t link it due to profanity but google: Tenacious D - City Hall)
I mean, home grow would have been a safe, sustainable, and organic solution. Home delivery drivers and illegal dealers tooling around with a bunch of cannabis and a wad of cash isn’t anything I’d want my loved ones doing.
Or, consumers will just need to drive further, bolstering the new Illinois gas tax. /s
Comment by XonXoff Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 2:18 pm
Checked her 2019 Statement of Economic Interest - all question were marked with N/A’s. She should be disclosing spouses salary income under question 6 below. Perhaps she will next year.
“List the name of any entity doing business in the State of Illinois from which income in excess of $1,200 was derived during the preceding calendar year other than for professional services and the title or description of any position held in that entity. (In the case of real estate, location thereof shall be listed by street address, or if none, then by legal description). No time or demand deposit in a financial institution nor any debt instrument need be listed..
Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 2:26 pm
I am not giving Cassidy a pass because she is a progressive, reformer, licensed attorney, former prosecutor, or any other subjective and suspect reason. Blagojevich was or at times claimed to be all of those.
I am giving her a “pass” because Donnie Elgin’s reading is incorrect. Your spouse’s work income is not required to be reported in that section or any other.
So unless someone thinks this company somehow influences Cassidy to be more “pro-pot” (LOLOL) or write the statute in such a way that the company benefited disproportionately (I hear no complaint from competitors) then what could the ethical violation be? There is no quid pro quo without a quid. Tell me what the quid is.
Comment by Juvenal Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 3:37 pm
=Cassidy said Gingrich will commute to Florida on occasion but continue to spend much time here.
Noon update: A spokeswoman for Revolution Enterprises says Gingrich will receive no stock options and no profit share, only her salary, and emphasizes her work will be for the Florida sister company and not the Illinois parent.
But a company statement notes that, per state law, the legal limit on Gingrich working for the Illinois company will lift after two years. That’s how long the new law bans lawmakers and their family members from holding a financial interest in an Illinois cannabis license-holder.=
The more I read the updates..{Sigh} if she is working on for the FL based sister company, then why would the IL law 2yr law apply regarding financial interest? If it’s a sister company, will all of the FL employees have the option to have a financial interest in the IL company?
Cassidy says her spouse will spend most of her time in IL, but will commute to FL?
=In a statement, Revolution said Gingrich will “help lead the company’s expansion to Florida” but also serve as the firm’s “ambassador” to the LGBTQ community. “Candace’s skill sets in creating partnerships, marketing and advocacy, and our shared passion for social equity, made Candace a natural choice,” said CEO Mark de Souza.=
Help lead the company’s expansion in Florida, BUT will serve as ambassador to the LGBTQ community. Wonder how much time she will spend in IL doing outreach to the LGBTQ community. {sigh} Back my post earlier today, was this job posted for the public?
Comment by {Sigh} Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 3:38 pm
That Cassidy/Gingrich deal smells as skunky as the super-potent, hydroponic weed my neighbor smokes.
Comment by FTR Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 3:54 pm
So if some cities say no, what about outside of the city limits? I get that an ideal location would be say in Naperville where it has 150,000 people, but reality is, people will drive to wherever the stores are. The closest dispensary I had in WA state was 50 minutes away and I went on my days off to stock up.
Comment by Mon2479 Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 4:03 pm
I am thankful that I live a mile away from our dispensary. I am thankful as well, that come the new year, it will be legal for patients to have five mature plants and to be able to keep all they produce.
Going forward, I believe something along the lines of a PAC should be established to lobby for more reasonable Cannabis ordinances and to advocate for the rights and dignity of adult consumers and patients. A non-profit organization to eloquently and effectively push-back against the enmity of prohibitionists as well as the rapacious fanagaling of corporate/political interests and to expose them when they are acting nefariously and hold them to account in the court of public opinion.
Comment by Maryjane Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 4:06 pm
= Juvenal
“I am giving her a “pass” because Donnie Elgin’s reading is incorrect. Your spouse’s work income is not required to be reported in that section or any other”
from statute and this is at the top of all the SEI forms:
(5 ILCS 420/4A-102) (from Ch. 127, par. 604A-102)
Sec. 4A-102. The statement of economic interests required by this Article shall include the economic interests of the person making the statement as provided in this Section. The interest (if constructively controlled by the person making the statement) of a spouse or any other party, shall be considered to be the same as the interest of the person making the statement. Campaign receipts shall not be included in this
Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 4:06 pm
===She should be disclosing spouses salary income under question 6 below===
She wasn’t employed by a company doing business with the state of Illinois, or even a company located in the state of Illinois.
Try harder, troll.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 4:14 pm
from the article
“The wife of one of the architects of Illinois’ new law legalizing recreational marijuana has landed a big job with an Elmhurst-based cannabis company”
The company only has to be doing business IN the state of Illinois - not doing business WITH the state of Illinois.
Puruse the SoS SEI search website and you notice a number of Rep’s follow the law and disclose spouse income.
Comment by Donnie Elgin Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 4:27 pm
Is the argument against Cassidy that she would not have been pro-pot or that the promise of this job made her more pro-pot? Sometimes people confuse alignment of interests with corruption. It’s not. There’s no suggestion of a quid pro quo. None.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 4:32 pm
And on the other issue, I don’t see the problem with communities deciding not to allow dispensaries. They are choosing to forego the revenue. If their voters don’t like the choice, they can make a different decision later. Either way, it’s a local decision.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 4:35 pm
CC, does the law favor existing companies? I have read it does. Does the law restrict homegrow to only medical? I have read it does. Those are two significant policy points that could have been influenced by a spouse going to an existing company. Ipso facto, taking that job a little whack.
Comment by D Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 5:13 pm
If their voters don’t like the choice, they can make a different decision later. Chicago Cynic
I agree with your comments…but…you make it sound easy for voters to decide.
It won’t be…easy…for the poor and disabled.
Comment by Dotnonymous Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 5:17 pm
Other side of coin is given all the lobbyists and money existing companies had they were going to win no matter what… if there was going to be a bill, additionally with law enforcement throwing a fit about homegrow that had to change.. if there was going to be a bill… See both sides of this one
Comment by D Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 5:19 pm
“Checked her 2019 Statement of Economic Interest - all question were marked with N/A’s. She should be disclosing spouses salary income under question 6 below.”
Why would she disclose a spouses salary income for a job that her spouse did not yet have?
As a matter of fact, HOW could she disclose a spouses salary income for a job that her spouse did not yet have?
As Scottish philosopher David Hume observed in Part III, section XV of A Treatise of Human Nature(1738–40), “The cause must be prior to the effect.”
In this case, the income (cause) must be prior to its disclosure (effect).
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, Jul 31, 19 @ 6:12 pm