Pritzker signs bill allowing recreational pot sales at Buffalo Grove shop
Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law Thursday a measure that will enable Buffalo Grove's medical cannabis dispensary to sell recreational marijuana.
The move ends a long fight by village leaders and the Sunnyside dispensary at 830 Milwaukee Ave. to close a loophole in state law that had previously barred the business from selling recreational pot.
Sunnyside had a recreational license for its previous location, 1623 Barclay Blvd., but when it moved to its current address, state law prevented the license from moving with it.
The dispensary now can apply to sell recreational cannabis in 90 days.
"We will be working over the next 90 days on the conversion to being a dual-purpose dispensary," said Jason Erkes, a spokesman for Sunnyside operator Cresco Labs. "We will continue to closely work with our medical patients and look forward to welcoming adult use customers in to our Buffalo Grove store."
State Rep. Daniel Didech, who introduced the measure signed Thursday, praised the governor's action.
"Because of this bill our police will be better funded, there will be more resources to improve our local infrastructure, and there will be less pressure on local officials to raise our property taxes," said Didech, a Democrat from Buffalo Grove.
Buffalo Grove Village President Beverly Sussman said sales taxes from recreational marijuana will boost village finances.
"It's wonderful that Gov. Pritzker signed the bill," she said. "They really went out of their way to help Buffalo Grove. And Buffalo Grove certainly appreciates it."
Buffalo Grove Trustee Gregory Pike said recreational marijuana sales at Sunnyside could bring in more than $1 million a year in tax revenue for the village.
"These additional funds can be used to help fund first responders, infrastructure projects and our efforts to reduce the tax burden on individual homeowners," he said.