Politics & Government
Medical Marijuana Dispensary Could Be Years Away in Plainfield
Currently, there's no proposal to bring one to the village.
Village trustees and staff met Monday night to set ground rules for medical marijuana dispensaries — but it could be years before one comes to Plainfield.
Village Administrator Brian Murphy said right now, there's no request on the table to bring a dispensary or cultivation operation to the village.
"There's no proposal to bring a specific group in," Murphy said. "This is really just in light of the state law and in light of how this relates to our zoning ordinances."
Murphy also pointed out that state regulations would trump any rules put in place by the village.
Currently, state law allows for 60 distribution centers for medical marijuana throughout the state — including a maximum of three in Will County and one in Kendall County. The law also allows for one cultivation operation in both Will and Kendall, Murphy said.
Trustee Jim Racich said he felt that Monday night's discussion was premature.
"It could be three to four years in the future" before a proposal comes to Plainfield, Racich said. "There is no immediacy to it."
Racich also noted that medical marijuana is closely regulated by the state. The law places stringent guidelines on who can obtain a medical marijuana card, including those suffering from cancer, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and HIV. Those with a medical marijuana card can obtain small amounts of the drug with a prescription.
"It's not a moral issue, it's a medical issue," Racich said.
Racich said it's unclear when a vote on marijuana dispensary guidelines could go before the village board. The issue will be up for further discussion at a future Committee of the Whole meeting.
"We'll be inviting people in the industry who can discuss the ramifications" of medical marijuana, Racich said.
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