Pot Bill Passes House: Opens Door For Rec Sales In Buffalo Grove

BUFFALO GROVE, IL — An impasse between a local dispensary and the Governor's office may soon come to an end. House Bill 1443, which includes a proposal by Rep. Daneil Didech (D-Buffalo Grove) to allow Sunnyside Cannabis Dispensary to immediately begin recreation sales at its Buffalo Grove location, passed the Illinois House of Representatives Tuesday by a vote of 70-33.

Earlier this year, Didech introduced HB 619, which would have allowed Sunnyside to sell recreational cannabis in its new location at 830 Milwaukee Ave. A compromised version of HB 619 was incorporated into the final version of HB 1443, sponsored by Rep. LaShawn Ford (D-Chicago), according to a news release.

Under the terms of this compromise proposal, Sunnyside can apply to sell recreational cannabis 90 days after the bill is signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The application will automatically be approved 30 days after its submittal so long as Sunnyside is in compliance with all other provisions of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act passed by the General Assembly in 2019.

"The tax revenue generated by the Buffalo Grove dispensary will help fund much needed infrastructure improvements, support our police and fire services, and avert unnecessary property tax increases," Didech said in the news release. "I am grateful that Buffalo Grove village officials are prioritizing the economic development of our community, and I will keep fighting to ensure the State of Illinois is supportive of their efforts."

The bill also includes various other changes to the state’s cannabis law, including authorizing new lotteries to award licenses to social equity applicants.

Rep. Jonathan Carroll (D-Northbrook) released a statement praising Buffalo Grove for its efforts.

"Thank you to the village of Buffalo Grove for its persistence on this issue. We have made it very clear to the Governor and his staff for nearly a year and a half that this is one of our top priorities," Carroll said. "I am glad that the House of Representatives has taken a leading role on this issue and will finally bring the long-promised dispensary to Buffalo Grove."

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