PEORIA (25News Now) -The City of Peoria is making changes to how cannabis is sold while also considering new restrictions on related products.
Peoria City Council voted 7-4 to allow drive-through services at licensed cannabis dispensaries in the city, but only with special use approval.
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed legislation into law in June that updated and clarified the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act and the Compassionate Use of Medical Cannabis Program Act, collectively known as the Cannabis Acts.
These changes affect how dispensaries are regulated by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) and how consumers may purchase cannabis in Illinois, while also giving local municipalities more flexibility in regulating cannabis businesses.
Part of those changes allows licensed cannabis dispensaries to offer drive-through services, curbside pickup and extended hours of operation, among other provisions.
However, Peoria City Council only voted on drive-through services, leaving curbside pickup for separate consideration. Supporters of the amended measure said requiring a special use permit would make the city appear more business-friendly.
The original proposal would have allowed cannabis businesses to obtain administrative approval rather than requiring a special use permit.
“I think we have to navigate this new social norm that is recreational marijuana. And I know that there is still a stigma to that and I am not naive to it, but I think when you offer the drive-through and the curbside pickup offering of it, you get a level of discretion for consumers,” said Andre W. Allen, Peoria’s 4th District council member.
There are currently five licensed cannabis dispensaries in the city, with a maximum of six permitted.
Among those who opposed the measure was Timothy Riggenbach, Peoria’s 3rd District council member, who said that while he agreed with requiring a special use permit, he did not believe it was the appropriate time to approve the measure.
He raised concerns about safety and implementation, adding that the council should revisit the issue once the state finalizes its regulations.
“The state has not commenced any regulatory action specific to these facilities. And it just seems like we’re putting the cart before the horse, because we know the state is going to have some regulatory specifics as to how these need to operate. So, why would we … [the licensed cannabis dispensaries] won’t invest in that if they know there will be changes down the road,” said Riggenbach.
Cannabis businesses would still be required to comply with certain regulations. The special use permit would not be transferable, and the approved modifications would not allow increases in building height or size.
Retail sale of hemp-derived THC, kratom and tianeptine products
Meanwhile, the City of Peoria is also considering an ordinance that would prohibit the retail sale of hemp-derived THC, kratom and tianeptine products within city limits.
According to city documents, the proposed ordinance is intended to “protect [the] community from the dangerous, sometimes perilous, effects of these drugs.”
The documents also state that although new federal and state restrictions will make many hemp-derived THC products illegal, questions remain about how those restrictions will be enforced, prompting the city to consider its own safeguards.
The proposal follows similar actions taken by neighboring communities, including East Peoria, Peoria Heights, Bloomington and Normal.
However, Peoria’s proposed ordinance focuses on retail sales rather than possession.
Businesses found in violation could face fines of up to $1,000 per day, along with possible suspension or revocation of their business licenses.
The council held a first reading of the ordinance, but further consideration was deferred until December after some council members requested that two separate items be presented. This would allow the council to vote separately on restrictions involving herbal kratom and kratom-derived products.
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