Recreational Marijuana Sales On The Ballot In Batavia

BATAVIA, IL — With marijuana dispensaries popping up throughout Illinois since its legalization at the start of the year, voters are being asked whether Batavia should allow them to open within city limits.

Batavia Mayor Jeffery Schielke previously indicated he would veto any procedural change that would allow recreational marijuana dispensaries to open in the city, but in January, he said he’d leave it up to “the will of the people” through a referendum question.

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The referendum will not be binding, meaning a majority “Yes” vote does not guarantee officials will approve recreational dispensaries' applications to open in Batavia.

The city was unable to file the proper paperwork to put the referendum question on the March primary ballot, City Administrator Laura Newman has said.

This is how the referendum question appears on Batavia voters’ ballots:

“Shall the City of Batavia allow the sale of recreational adult-use cannabis within its jurisdiction, subject to statutorily permissible restrictions?”

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Medical marijuana dispensaries are allowed to open in Batavia under city policy, but none have.

Several of Batavia’s nearby municipalities have passed ordinances to allow marijuana dispensaries to open, including North Aurora, Geneva, St. Charles and Aurora.

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