Wacky Tobacky Gets Green Light In New Lenox

NEW LENOX, IL — The Village of New Lenox has become the first town in the Lincoln-Way area to allow for the sale of recreational cannabis after the Village Board of Trustees at its Monday meeting unanimously approved an ordinance reversing its 2019 ban on the issue.

The ordinance to allow recreational cannabis sales does come with a list of safety measures, not the least of which is limiting the amount of cannabis dispensaries to one, limiting the amount of cannabis cultivation centers to one and limiting the amount of cannabis infusion centers to one. Also included in the safety measures are, among others:

• Requiring special use permits for each establishment, which would give the Village Board of Trustees more authority to control which potential businesses could exist and under what conditions.
• Establishing a 100-foot boundary from any cannabis dispensary, and a 1,500-foot boundary from any cultivation center and schools, daycare centers, parks or churches.
• Strict safety requirements, including security cameras, lighting or other improvements the Village deems necessary, at the cost of the business.
• On-site consumption of cannabis shall be prohibited.

Back in October, New Lenox Mayor Tim Baldermann, when asked about the possibility of reversing the recreational cannabis ban, said "It was a new thing [in 2019] and we wanted to see how it goes. We wanted to see in the communities that did it if they had any issues. Now, it's been two years and we've been approached by a couple of different license holders, and so we're going to have the discussion again as a board to see if that's something we want to revisit."

Baldermann told Patch Tuesday that, even though recreational cannabis sales are permitted in the village, there are no plans yet to grant a license to any business. But, he added, "there has been interest" by recreational cannabis companies to come to New Lenox.

"And now that we've passed this [ordinance], I would assume that we would see something more concrete that would come forward," Baldermann said. "Whether it materializes or not, I don't know. But, at least the option's there."

Related:

• New Lenox Prohibits Recreational Cannabis Sales
• New Lenox To Consider Revisiting Recreational Cannabis Stance
• High Times Ahead? Board Weighs Cannabis Sales In Village
• Recreational Cannabis On Agenda Again For Monday Board Meeting