Evanston Marijuana Legalization 6 Months Later: Take Our Survey

EVANSTON, IL — There's no denying that the legalization of recreational marijuana in Illinois six months ago has been profitable. Spending on cannabis statewide has been sky high, cannabis consumers spending well over $300 million on weed since January, according to estimates.

In Evanston, officials allowed a medical marijuana dispensary operating out of a city-owned parking lot to begin also selling recreational marijuana at the start of the year. The City Council also voted to devote the first $10 million of the city's 3-percent cannabis sales tax to a new reparations fund devoted to aiding Evanston's Black community.

Earlier: Future Weed Revenue Will Fund Evanston's New Reparations Program

And now, amid the coronavirus pandemic and the recession that began in February, some north suburban municipalities that were lukewarm to allowing recreational marijuana dispensaries in their towns last year are reconsidering their "no" votes.

Members of the Highland Park City Council and the Arlington Heights Village Board were both set to discuss relaxing their local retail cannabis prohibitions at meetings Monday.

Patch wants to hear from readers about their thoughts on where things are headed in their municipalities and in the state. Take our quick survey below and let us know what you think. Thanks in advance for sharing your views.

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Illinois Recreational Marijuana Sales Set New Record In June
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Talking Weed: Arlington Heights To Discuss Cannabis Sales Vote
Highland Park Reconsiders Ban On Recreational Cannabis Stores