Round Lake officials to vote on marijuana businesses

Round Lake's village board is expected to vote this month on a proposal that could pave the way for marijuana retailers and growers in the community.

The plan commission met Tuesday and recommended the village allow the sale and cultivation of recreational marijuana. Round Lake prohibited recreational marijuana businesses in 2019, before the legalization of marijuana took effect in 2020 in Illinois.

The village board will discuss the measure Sept. 20. Director of Economic & Community Development Katie Parkhurst said no businesses have submitted proposals to sell or cultivate marijuana in the village.

Parkhurst said such businesses would bring significant revenue to the village. She estimated a retail shop would bring in $400,000 a year in taxes.

Police Chief David Prus told the plan commission he spoke to police chiefs in Mundelein, Buffalo Grove, Highland Park, Deerfield, Northbrook, Prospect Heights and Rolling Meadows to ask about their experiences with marijuana stores in their towns. According to Prus, the other chiefs said there were more problems with bars and liquor stores than with marijuana shops.

Prospective marijuana businesses would need to seek special use permits and would be allowed in commercial zoning districts, such as along Washington Street or in industrial areas. Cultivation and growing sites would be relegated to industrial sites.

The planning and zoning staff recommends no marijuana businesses be allowed within 500 feet of schools and day care centers. No on-site consumption would be allowed.