Palatine schedules public hearing on potential marijuana sales in town
Palatine residents and others will have an opportunity to voice their opinions at a public hearing next month about recreational marijuana sales in the village.
Recreational pot use by those 21 and older becomes legal in Illinois on Jan. 1. Towns can't outlaw its use, but they can decide to prohibit businesses that sell it or restrict their location.
Palatine's advisory plan commission is tentatively scheduled to host the public hearing Nov. 19, Village Manager Reid Ottesen said. From there, the matter will go before the village council for final consideration before year's end.
Ottesen said state law requires a public hearing on the issue in towns that don't immediately opt out. As a home-rule community, Palatine has flexibility to decide which commission or board holds the public hearing.
"We really put a lot of faith in the plan commission and zoning board (of appeals) to take the testimony," Ottesen said.
"We made the decision to follow the normal ... zoning process and have that go to the plan commission."
Palatine likely would tack on a maximum 3% local tax on pot sales allowed in the village. In addition, Ottesen said, the village received confirmation its local food and beverage tax would apply to baked goods, candies, drinks and other prepared offerings with weed in them.
"If it's an edible, it would have that extra 1% (tax) on top of it," Ottesen said.
In Schaumburg, Village Manager Brian Townsend said his town confirmed its 2% food and beverage tax could be applied to edible marijuana.
A Schaumburg village board committee informally agreed last week that the separate, maximum 3% local tax should go on marijuana sales.
Another Schaumburg village board committee discussion on the potential for the recreational marijuana sales is set for Tuesday.