Medical marijuana sellers, growers hope to get licenses in Elk Grove
A total of 12 businesses are seeking to become either a medical marijuana grower or seller in Elk Grove Village.
The village board on Tuesday endorsed development and operating agreements for two more potential cultivation facilities and one dispensary - a necessary step for the businesses to be considered for a state license.
Earlier this month, the board approved agreements with five other potential cultivation facilities and four dispensaries.
State regulators will allow a total of 21 cultivation centers and 60 retail shops statewide. That means only one cultivation facility throughout all of Cook County, one in DuPage County, and one dispensing organization in either Elk Grove or Schaumburg townships.
A number of hopeful medical marijuana operators have zeroed in on Elk Grove Village because its business park fits within zoning parameters established under state law.
Like the older agreements, the documents approved in Elk Grove this week also include the stipulation that each proposed cultivation center would give $15,000 to three community organizations and $30,000 to the village for community events, while proposed dispensaries promised to give $5,000 each - if they eventually win a coveted state license.
One of the local organizations is Alexian Brothers Health System, whose leadership has declined the offer.
"Alexian Brothers Health System believes that a complex issue such as this requires a great deal of evaluation and consideration and does not intend to be a recipient of any donated funds from these programs," according to an Alexian Brothers statement published Sept. 13 in the Daily Herald.
Mayor Craig Johnson said Alexian Brothers is still a "placeholder" in the agreements, and hospital officials still have the option of accepting the funds if a state license is awarded in Elk Grove.
"If they choose to, fine. If they choose not to, fine. We'll find another worthy organization," Johnson said.
Those seeking to open a dispensary or cultivation center had until last Monday to send their applications to the state.
Those hoping to set up a growing operation in Elk Grove include FloraMedex LLC, Veteran Distribution Company, IL Grown Medicine LLC, Phoenix Farms of Illinois LLC, Calyx America LLC, Wellness Hospitality LLC and First Wave Wellness LLC.
Those seeking to become a dispensary within Elk Grove include FloraMedex LLC, Illinois ABJ Dispensaries, Alternative Treatments LLC, Bloom Illinois LLC and Harborside Illinois Grown Medicine Inc.
Approval of licenses could come by the end of the year, with medical marijuana ready to be sold as early as the spring of 2015, officials said.