Want to grow or sell marijuana in St. Clair County? Here’s the rule book
St. Clair County entrepreneurs hoping to get into the marijuana business now have a rule book to study ahead of statewide legalization in 2020.
During a recent meeting of the county board, requirements were set in place for future cannabis businesses in a zoning ordinance that will require any cannabis-related business to apply for a special use permit.
It is the latest of several moves preparing St. Clair County for the coming introduction of recreational cannabis sales, following the county’s implementation of a tax on cannabis sales in unincorporated and incorporated parts of the county.
Recreational marijuana will officially be legal in Illinois on Jan. 1.
How to get a marijuana permit
The county zoning board, when considering awarding special use permits to businesses working with marijuana, will consider several factors depending on the type of business.
Special use permits allow land or property to be used differently from existing zoning regulations or ordinances.
County zoning requirements for any type of cannabis business focus mainly on how it may impact the area, security measures and plans, hours of operation and anticipated amounts of customers, site design and other considerations.
However, anyone wanting to get into the business must be licensed by the state.
For all adult-use cannabis business establishments, these additional factors will be taken into consideration:
Impact of the facility on existing or planned properties located nearby;
Structure of the facility, including co-tenancy, total square footage, security installations and plans and building code compliance;
Hours of operations and anticipated number of employees and customers;
Anticipated traffic for nearby roads;
Site design, including access points and internal site circulation;
Signage plan;
Proposed lighting;
Proposed locations for video surveillance equipment and the location, height and nature of fences or barriers meant to provide security;
Nature and adequacy of supervision and security at the site;
Compliance with the requirements provided for that particular type of adult-use cannabis business;
Any other criteria determined necessary by the zoning administrator or zoning board of appeals.
Rules for running a business
The county also laid out rules that restrict who can purchase recreational cannabis, what times businesses can operate and other considerations.
At all establishments, regardless of the type of business, on-site cannabis consumption is “strictly” prohibited. That includes absorbing, drinking, eating, ingesting or smoking it. Alcohol won’t be allowed at those businesses, either.
Facilities cannot be located within 1,500 feet of any residential homes, pre-existing schools, daycares, nursing homes, places of worship, parks, forest preserves, hospitals or learning centers. Businesses also can only operate between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Businesses will be required to install “building enhancements,” such as lighting, security cameras and any other improvements required by its special use permit. This, the county ordinance states, is to ensure the safety of employees and customers of the business and well as people in the area.
The ordinance also bans anyone under 21 from being on the property of cannabis-related businesses. Only those authorized can access craft grower facilities and cultivation centers.
Cannabis businesses will need to provide the county zoning administration annual proof of its license or its license will be revoked.
All of these county rules will be enforced in addition to state regulations. Rules may also vary, depending on the municipality the business in which it is located. Some municipalities are considering not allowing cannabis businesses at all.
Breaking rules means losing permit
The county set in place strict punishments for failing to follow the state’s regulations, including the loss of a sales licence.
Permits can also be revoked if the business fails to obtain state registration or fails to use the property awarded the permit within 170 days from when it was issued.
This story was originally published November 26, 2019 at 12:23 PM.