Bloomington Council to vote Monday night on creating cannabis task force

Posted on September 8, 2019

*The Bloomington City Council will decide Monday night whether to create a cannabis task force examining ways the city can implement the state’s new law legalizing recreational use of marijuana.* *(Photo from Facebook/Medical Marijuana Inc.)*

By Howard Packowitz

BLOOMINGTON – The Bloomington City Council will decide Monday night whether to form a committee that would come up with ways the city can implement the state’s new law legalizing recreational use of marijuana.

The 10-member Cannabis Review and Implementation Task Force Committee would be chaired by City Council member Jenn Carrillo, who brought up the idea of a task force last month.

Carrillo said at the time she envisions Bloomington becoming a cannabis-pervasive community taking advantage of the new law’s economic benefits.

The task force would consider how to tax marijuana sales, and whether to create spot zoning that would establish specific areas where marijuana could be legally sold and consumed.

The task force would be on a fast-track, submitting a written report with initial findings and recommendations October 21. Illinois’ new cannabis law takes effect January 1.

Council member Jamie Mathy said last month the task force would have to work fast because a local entrepreneur had already approached him about opening a marijuana dispensary.

The mayor, with city council approval, would appoint panel members. They would include a pair of council members, two law enforcement officers, two business owners, and three community group representatives. The business owners on the committee could include entrepreneurs wanting to sell marijuana.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]

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