Deer Park to tax pot sales - even though there are no dispensaries yet

As they weigh whether to allow cannabis stores for recreational users in town, Deer Park officials have agreed to tax such sales.

The village board on Thursday approved a 3% tax on all marijuana-related sales other than those for medical purposes. Medical marijuana is subject to a 1% sales tax in Illinois.

The state law that legalized marijuana sales and possession for nonmedicinal uses starting this year allows municipalities to impose a local tax of up to 3% on marijuana sales.

Dispensaries selling the drug and related accessories are banned in Deer Park now, but that may change.

Officials are considering allowing dispensaries in a business district along Rand Road. Special-use permits would be required to operate.

Approving the tax doesn't automatically mean such businesses are allowed. That will take a separate vote.

"It merely allows for the village to collect a tax should a dispensary locate in Deer Park," Village Administrator Beth McAndrews said.

Officials are not aware of any proposals for dispensaries to open in Deer Park, McAndrews said.

State law allows individual municipalities to permit or ban such businesses.

In the North, Northwest and West suburbs, recreational cannabis dispensaries operate in Arlington Heights, Rolling Meadows, Schaumburg, Naperville, Mundelein and elsewhere.

Dispensaries serving only customers with medical prescriptions operate in Buffalo Grove, Deerfield, Mount Prospect and other towns.