In a push to expand the city’s cannabis industry, the Chicago City Council Zoning Committee has approved a plan put forth by Mayor Lori Lightfoot to loosen cannabis zoning requirements and increase the number of dispensaries downtown. The move comes as Lightfoot strives to make Chicago more attractive to cannabis businesses.
The city’s previous cannabis zones, which were eliminated by the vote, cornered dispensaries into operating only in certain parts of the metropolis. Additionally, the zoning restrictions limited the number of dispensaries allowed in each zone following the state’s legalization of recreational cannabis on Jan. 1, 2020. According to WTTW, the zones were created primarily due to concerns that dispensaries would corrupt the city’s central business district in the eyes of families and tourists “looking for G-rated fun.”
As over a hundred dispensaries began to open up around the state following legalization, only 18 cannabis shops established themselves in Chicago, leading to more than $13 million in lost revenue. While the recent 14-4 vote by the city council will not open up all of downtown Chicago to cannabis businesses, it will reduce the exclusion zone greatly by moving the east and west boundaries to Michigan and State streets respectively. The full city council is expected to take up the proposal on Sept. 14.
Many stakeholders are hoping to see the loosened Chicago cannabis restrictions benefit minority cannabis entrepreneurs, some of whom are vying for a cannabis license through the state’s extra cannabis lottery after clerical errors tainted the July lottery. The state is still waiting to distribute 180 licenses to lottery winners due to an ongoing lawsuit surrounding the application process.
There is a lot to learn when it comes to the world of cannabis concentrates. In particular, proper banger health is essential for any dab rig. The devices used to smoke concentrates are not called a bowl, but one of the most popular forms of consumption seems to be using a dab rig. Dab rigs…
High Times Magazine, the country’s preeminent cannabis publication known for its advocacy for legalization, bud centerfolds, and counterculture attitude, has died. It was 50. Born in the summer of 1974, High Times was the brainchild of Thomas King Forcade, an anti-establishment leader and legendary cannabis smuggler. Very little is known about its conception— Sean Howe…
Over 52 million Americans used cannabis at least once in 2021, and that number is set to go up in 2025. With more people showing interest in using cannabis, understanding the herb’s effects and health outcomes has never been more crucial. Realm of Caring Foundation (RoC) is stepping in to fill this knowledge gap with…
Welcome to the first edition of Cannabis Horoscopes, brought to you by Ethereally Elevated! In this series, we’ll look at Astrological transits and talk about how they affect your sign(s), as well as provide recommendations for strains, terpenes, cannabinoids, activities, etc. Read for your Sun, Moon, Rising, Venus, and/or North Node (smrv+nn) sign! Here are…
When it comes to any hot-button issue like cannabis legalization, there are always two sides, often without much middle ground. For those looking through a pro-legalization lens, efforts to continue federal prohibition and bar states from legalizing should be a thing of the past. Whereas, for proponents of anti-legalization, prohibition is a no-brainer. To fully…
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