Recreational Cannabis Sales Nixed By Glen Ellyn Trustees

GLEN ELLYN, IL — Glen Ellyn trustees voted Monday in favor of a zoning ordinance that would prohibit the sale of recreational cannabis within village limits. The official opt-out comes nearly two years after village officials approved a moratorium ordinance on the matter.

At Monday's village board meeting, four trustees voted in favor of prohibiting recreational cannabis sales and two voted against the prohibition of recreational marijuana sales in Glen Ellyn. Trustees Thompson, Kalinich, Gould and Payne voted in favor of the ordinance, whereas Trustees Christiansen and Fasules vote "no" to the prohibition.

Trustee Fasules added context to his vote against the zoning ordinance by saying, "I don't think we've adequately defined the zoning that this would come into." Fasules added that the ordinance had not clearly outlined what "buffers" would be needed between the proposed cannabis dispensaries and day cares, playgrounds or other places children frequent.

The idea of "buffers" had been mentioned by some residents during the public comment portion of the meeting. The majority of residents who commented raised concerns about the effect recreational cannabis sales might have on children.

Former Glen Ellyn Trustee Pete Ladesic said, "Nothing about recreational pot stores in Glen Ellyn speaks ‘family-friendly.'" Gilda Ross read a letter from Glenbard District 87 Superintendent Dr. David Larson that also expressed concern about the "long-term effects" of cannabis on children. Larson wrote, "Cannabis commercialization and normalization sends a harmful message to young people, especially at-risk youth."

Ahead of the meeting, at least 27 residents had submitted public comment. Of these, 22 were against permitting cannabis sales in the village and five were in favor.

Glen Ellyn's moratorium ordinance prohibiting cannabis sales was first approved in Nov. 2019 to permit village officials to see how recreational pot sales impacted neighboring municipalities. Since then, it had been extended twice and set to expire Sept. 28, 2021.

In the November 2020 general election, 16,501 voters weighed in on the question, "Shall the Village permit the sale of recreational cannabis within Village limits?" Of these, 51 percent of voters said "yes" and 49 percent of voters said "no."