Didech bill would allow Buffalo Grove shop to sell recreational pot

State Rep. Daniel Didech has introduced a bill in Springfield that would close a loophole blocking Buffalo Grove's medical cannabis facility from selling recreational marijuana as well.

Sunnyside, 830 Milwaukee Ave., currently is limited to medical marijuana sales because of its move from 1623 Barclay Blvd. in the village to its current home. Under an interpretation of state law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker's office, medical dispensaries moving to a new location, even within the same village, lose the right to sell recreational marijuana and must obtain new state approval.

The bill introduced by Didech, a Democrat from Buffalo Grove, would allow businesses like Sunnyside to sell recreational marijuana, but only within the communities where they established their medical dispensaries.

The bill will provide local governments with much-needed revenue and help balance the state budget without raising taxes or cutting services, Didech said in a statement Thursday.

"It will have no negative unintended consequences on social equity applicants or unfairly give anyone a leg up in the cannabis marketplace," he added.

State Rep. Jonathan Carroll, a Northbrook Democrat whose district includes a portion of Buffalo Grove, co-sponsored the bill.

"Communities like Buffalo Grove have been unfairly impacted by a loophole that this legislation will address," Carroll said.

Buffalo Grove village board members like Trustee Gregory Pike have said the village is losing significant revenue because of the restriction on Sunnyside.

Village Manager Dane Bragg has said the village "conservatively" estimates Sunnyside would generate about $40,000 a month in tax revenue through recreational marijuana sales.