Could A Medical Marijuana Dispensary Come to Plainfield?

Last summer, Illinois became the 20th state to legalize medical marijuana.

Now, municipalities —including Plainfield — are setting rules as to how and where the substance can be cultivated and sold.

On Monday, village staff will look to trustees for guidance on possible amendments to Plainfield's zoning code to incorporate cannabis cultivation centers and cannabis dispensary operations. The topic is on the agenda for an April 14 committee of the whole meeting.

State rules — which can be viewed here — will trump any rules passed by municipalities, however.

Under the new law, people with illnesses including HIV, cancer and multiple sclerosis can get an ID card allowing them them to buy limited amounts — up to 2.5 ounces — of marijuana legally from one of 60 state-licensed dispensaries.

The law allows for three dispensaries in Will County and one in Kendall County. A four-year pilot program started Jan. 1, although the state's medical marijuana website cautioned residents that the full implementation of the program will take time: "The State of Illinois is warning that it will not be legal for anyone to grow, offer to provide, or to possess, medical cannabis until licenses have been issued and the program is up and running," the site says.

The village committee of the whole meeting is set for 7 p.m. Monday at Village Hall, 24401 W. Lockport St.

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