Mayor Introduces Ordinance to Limit Recreational Marijuana

Mayor Lori Lightfoot says she wants to restrict marijuana dispensaries from operating in the Loop. She introduced the zoning ordinance Wednesday, saying it's all about creating more equity for Chicago neighborhoods. 


“I think that, as this market is emerging,” Lightfoot told reporters, “the revenue generated will be actually fairly modest.” The mayor continued saying, “But again, we want to do it in a way, that from the very beginning focuses on equity and expanding whatever economic opportunities there are to our neighborhoods concentrated to the Downtown area.”


Right now, most dispensaries are on the North Side of the city. Lightfoot wants to see it spread out. She also said she wants to see Downtown remain "family-friendly." 


Under Lightfoot's plan, the city would be split up into seven distribution zones. Each zone would be allowed up to 7 dispensaries, with the potential for that to be increased to 14 later on. There is rising opposition to the plan, especially from Downtown aldermen and marijuana insiders who feel the revenue from tourism shouldn't be lost. 


“There’s a lot of tourists that come and stay in the Downtown/Central Business District, as well as people that work and people who live here,” says Jason Erkes from Cresco Labs. “They should have the same access to cannabis as other people do around the city.”


The ordinance is set to be debated heavily before it heads to a vote. Chicagoans must be 21 years of age or older to purchase and use recreational marijuana. The rules also won't let you use it in public places.

09/19/19 10:19AM