Recreational Cannabis
The State of Illinois has approved the possession and use of cannabis for recreational purposes for adults over 21 years old in all Illinois communities beginning on January 1, 2020.
Trending
Trending
Question | Answer |
What regulations were approved for recreational dispensaries? | On October 21, 2019, the Buffalo Grove Village Board approved zoning regulations pertaining to recreational cannabis dispensaries, which could potentially be located in the Village. This action follows the State of Illinois’ approval of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (CRTA), which will go into effect January 1, 2020 and allows for the use and personal possession of recreational cannabis for individuals 21 years of age and older. Key points of the approved Buffalo Grove Village Ordinance include:
|
How will the Village ensure recreational cannabis isn’t made available to persons under the age of 21? | Similarly to alcohol and tobacco, the Village’s Police Department will be able to conduct compliance checks at a dispensary in Buffalo Grove to ensure that they are not allowing for the underage sale. If a dispensary is located adjacent to our boundaries, but not in our community, Buffalo Grove cannot conduct the compliance checks. |
Is medical cannabis permitted and available in Buffalo Grove? | Yes. The Village has an existing medical cannabis dispensary in the Industrial park. This business has been operating since 2015. To date, the facility has had no issues.PDI and Cresco, was approved for a special use by the Village of Buffalo Grove on January 6, 2020 to open Sunnyside, a recreational and medical cannabis facility at 830-840 Milwaukee Avenue. |
Can a recreational cannabis dispensary locate in my neighborhood? | No. Recreational cannabis dispensaries cannot be located in an area zoned for residential. |
What are the requirements to possess recreational cannabis in a home with persons under the age of 21? | Parents or guardians are responsible to ensure that anyone under the age of 21 cannot have access to recreational cannabis within their private property. |
Can people drive under the influence of cannabis in Buffalo Grove? | No. Driving under the influence of cannabis remains illegal, and law enforcement officials may use validated standardized field sobriety tests approved by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. At this time, there is no approved roadside chemical tests. |
If the Village had “opted-out” of the sale of recreational cannabis, would the possession and consumption of recreational cannabis been considered illegal in Buffalo Grove? | No. The Village cannot prohibit the possession and use of cannabis for recreational purposes by adults 21 years of age or older. |
Can recreational cannabis be consumed in parks or other public places? | No. Use of recreational cannabis is prohibited in:
|
Can recreational cannabis be grown in someone’s private residence or home? | No. Pursuant to State Law, home grow for recreational cannabis is prohibited. However, home grow is authorized for medical cannabis program participants only, is limited to five plants in their residence, and subject to specified restrictions. |
For more information contact the Village at info@vbg.org or 847-459-2500. |
General Information
Per the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (CRTA), the Village does not have the ability to prohibit the possession and use of cannabis for recreational purposes by adults.
Per the CTRA, the Buffalo Grove Village Board does have the authority to:
Per the CTRA, the Buffalo Grove Village Board does have the authority to:
- Determine if the retail sale of recreational cannabis is permissible within the Village limits.
- If the retail sale of recreational cannabis is determined permissible, the Board also has the authority to:
- Limit the number of recreational dispensaries within the Village limits;
- Determine how recreational cannabis dispensaries operate, such as hours of operation;
- Place restrictions on their location in relation to certain uses such as day-cares and schools;
- Regulate which zoning districts they can be located; and
- Impose a local tax up to 3%.
- Establish civil penalties for violation of an ordinance or rules governing time, place, and manner.
Effective January 1, 2020, possession and use of cannabis for recreational purposes for adults over 21 years old becomes legal in Illinois via the Illinois Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (CRTA). The Village does not have the ability to prohibit the possession and use of cannabis for recreational purposes by adults.
- On October 21st, the Village Board approved an ordinance regarding recreational cannabis in the Village. View the meeting materials at the Board Meeting Agenda and Minutes Webpage.
Frequently Asked Questions
The consumption of cannabis will be allowed on private property or potentially, specifically designated establishments such as dispensaries or smoking lounges. The Village may prohibit the consumption of cannabis at such facilities.
Use is prohibited in:
Use is prohibited in:
- Any public place, such as streets or parks
- In any motor vehicle
- On school grounds, with the exception of medical users
- Near someone under the age of 21
- Near an on-duty school bus driver, police officer, firefighter or corrections officer
Any person, business, public entity, or landlord may prohibit the use of cannabis on private property, per the state law.
Only State-licensed businesses will be able to sell cannabis.
As of 1/1/2020, those 21 and over will be able to purchase and consume cannabis. The consumption of cannabis will be treated similarly to that of the consumption of alcohol or tobacco with any Illinois resident, or non-resident, ages 21 or over.
As of 1/1/2020, those 21 and over will be able to purchase and consume cannabis. The consumption of cannabis will be treated similarly to that of the consumption of alcohol or tobacco with any Illinois resident, or non-resident, ages 21 or over.
Illinois residents may possess up to:
Non-Illinois residents may legally possess up to ½ of these amounts.
- 30 grams, or just over one ounce of “flower”
- 5 grams of cannabis concentrate
- 500 milligrams of THC - the chemical that makes users high – in a cannabis infused product such as gummies, candy, other consumable products (referred to as “edibles”), or tinctures, and lotions
Non-Illinois residents may legally possess up to ½ of these amounts.
While a motor vehicle is in operation, cannabis must be in a sealed, odor-proof, child-resistant container. It is a Class A misdemeanor to transport cannabis in any other type of container. Cannabis cannot be used in a motor vehicle.
A copy of the Illinois House Bill 1438, better known as the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (CRTA), can be found here.
The following is a brief summary of the CRTA:
On June 25, 2019, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (CRTA), legalizing and regulating the production, consumption, and sale of cannabis in Illinois. It will take effect January 1, 2020. Under the CRTA, personal possession of up to 30 grams of cannabis is legal for Illinois residents at least 21 years of age.
The following is a brief summary of the CRTA:
On June 25, 2019, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed into law the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act (CRTA), legalizing and regulating the production, consumption, and sale of cannabis in Illinois. It will take effect January 1, 2020. Under the CRTA, personal possession of up to 30 grams of cannabis is legal for Illinois residents at least 21 years of age.
- Consumption. Municipalities may not restrict the private consumption of cannabis that is authorized by the CRTA. Furthermore, the CRTA does allow the ability for onsite consumption within dispensaries, including smoking. However, the CRTA prohibits the use of cannabis in public places, schools and child care facilities among other locations. Municipalities may adopt and enforce local ordinances to regulate possession and public consumption of cannabis so long as the regulations and penalties are consistent with the CRTA.
- State Licensing. The CRTA authorizes the production and distribution of cannabis and cannabis products through state-licensed cultivators, craft growers, infusers, transporters and dispensaries. The CRTA creates the position of Illinois Cannabis Regulation Oversight Officer within the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, and the Adult-use Cannabis Health Advisory Committee within the Illinois Department of Human Services to regulate the adult-use cannabis industry in Illinois.The state will issue licenses according to a graduated scale. By the end of the first year, there may be up to 295 dispensing organizations. The CRTA will allow up to 500 dispensing organizations by January 1, 2022. Cultivators will be capped at 50 and 100 craft growers will be allowed. By that same date, 100 infusers will also be authorized to be licensed.
- Limited Home Grow. Home grow cannabis will be authorized for medical cannabis program participants only, is limited to five plants in their residence, and subject to specified restrictions. Home grow of recreational cannabis by non-medical participants is prohibited.Local Zoning Authority. The CRTA preserves local zoning authority and directly authorizes municipalities to opt out of the recreational sale, or significantly limit the location of cannabis businesses, by ordinance. Municipalities have the authority to enact reasonable zoning regulations that are not in conflict with the CRTA. This would include the authority to opt out of either commercial production or distribution (dispensaries) of recreational use cannabis within their jurisdiction.Municipalities also may enact zoning ordinances and regulations designating the time, place, manner and number of cannabis business operations, including minimum distances between locations through special use permits.Local Tax. Municipalities, by ordinance, may impose a Municipal Purchase Excise Tax on recreational cannabis products of up to 3% of the purchase price, in .25% increments. The taxes imposed under the CRTA shall be in addition to all other occupation, privilege or excise taxes imposed by the State of Illinois, such as sales tax.
- State Revenue. State revenues derived from the CRTA will be deposited into the state’s Cannabis Regulation Fund. The funds will be distributed to multiple state agencies for implementation of the CRTA. The legalization of recreational cannabis also includes a new source of Local Government Distributive Fund (LGDF) dollars. A portion of the Cannabis Regulation Fund (8% of deposits) will go to local governments as LGDF to be used to fund crime prevention programs, training and interdiction efforts. The Cannabis Regulation Fund is derived from moneys collected from state taxes, license fees and other amounts required to be transferred into the Fund.
Latest Update
January 8, 2020On October 21st, the Village Board approved an ordinance regarding recreational cannabis in the Village. View the meeting materials at the Board Meeting Agenda and Minutes Webpage.
View for the Village's press release regarding the Village Board's decision on October 21st.
PDI and their parent company, Cresco, was approved for a special use by the Village of Buffalo Grove on January 6, 2020 to open Sunnyside, a recreational and medical cannabis facility at 830-840 Milwaukee Avenue. View the meeting materials at the Board Meeting Agenda and Minutes Webpage. For more information email the Village at info@vbg.org
Key Facts
January 8, 2020On October 21st, the Village Board approved an ordinance regarding recreational cannabis in the Village. View the meeting materials at the Board Meeting Agenda and Minutes Webpage.
View for the Village's press release regarding the Village Board's decision on October 21st.
PDI and their parent company, Cresco, was approved for a special use by the Village of Buffalo Grove on January 6, 2020 to open Sunnyside, a recreational and medical cannabis facility at 830-840 Milwaukee Avenue. View the meeting materials at the Board Meeting Agenda and Minutes Webpage. For more information email the Village at info@vbg.org
Key Facts
- Effective 1/1/2020, possession and use of cannabis for recreational purposes for adults over 21 years old becomes legal in Illinois.
- Consumption of cannabis is prohibited in public places.
- Only State-licensed businesses will be able to sell cannabis.
- Any person, business, public entity, or landlord may prohibit the use of cannabis on private property, per the state law.