Naperville to explore allowing ancillary pot businesses

Months of heated debates and public input came to a head last August with the Naperville City Council's repeal of a previous ban on recreational pot sales.

With three marijuana dispensaries now open in town - the maximum allowed per city code - elected officials directed staff members this week to explore expanding the regulations to encompass other ancillary businesses, such as infusing and transporting operations.

Some council members said they would not endorse changing the zoning ordinance given the timing and controversial nature of the topic.

But Mayor Steve Chirico, who initiated the conversation in the fall, said there's no harm in researching the additional cannabis uses and starting the public review process. Though an official vote wasn't taken during Tuesday's meeting, the discussion generated enough support from other council members to move forward.

"I really didn't think this would be a controversial issue," Chirico said. "These are businesses that kind of go without notice within most communities. ... We have a number of businesses that are affiliated with the industry in some manner that we didn't even know existed."

Testing facilities, for example, often test a wide variety of substances, Councilwoman Theresa Sullivan said. If cannabis products were added to the mix, she said, "I don't see why that would be treated any differently than any other testing facility."

Though the use is not technically prohibited in town, the council directed staff members to clarify the language in the city code.

The city also is expected to research transporting organizations, which are licensed by the Department of Agriculture to pick up and deliver marijuana products on behalf of a cannabis business or training program, city documents show.

Infusing businesses raised the most questions from council members, who expressed concerns over the potential odor and other uncertainties related to their operations.

Because the state has not yet issued licenses for facilities that infuse cannabis or cannabis concentrate into a product, Sullivan said she doesn't believe exploring the use would be "the smartest use of our time." Unlike dispensaries, she said, the businesses wouldn't bring in additional taxes.

"I'm not really excited to be a first-mover on that," she said. "I'm not against them, but I'm not for them. We just don't know enough."

But Chirico said having an ordinance ready to go by the time the state starts issuing licenses would help Naperville stay competitive in the industry.

Though not in a "huge rush" to get something on the books, Councilman Patrick Kelly said there's no reason to delay getting some of their questions answered.

Council members Kevin Coyne, Patty Gustin and Paul Hinterlong were not in favor of exploring any additional cannabis uses.

The council agreed to maintain its ban on craft growers and adult-use cultivation centers.