Carbondale will take up the issue of allowing recreational marijuana dispensaries to operate in the city -- a question that comes after two neighboring communities shut down the prospect of such commerce within their own city limits this week.
The Carbondale City Council is set to discuss the issue at its Sept. 24 meeting. Earlier this week, councils in Marion and Murphysboro both passed ordinances prohibiting the sale of recreational marijuana in those cities.
Carbondale City Manager Gary Williams said it will be up to elected council members to decide the city's direction on the issue, although city staff plans to recommend that the city not opt of allowing dispensaries.
Councilman Adam Loos, who has been outspoken on the issue of recreational marijuana, said he thinks there are enough votes on the council to support allowing dispensaries.
The question has been a tricky one for communities this summer after Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed legislation allowing adults to legally buy and consume marijuana for recreation beginning Jan. 1, 2020.
The law allows municipalities to collect a tax of up to 3 percent on the purchase of recreational marijuana.
While cities can't prohibit citizens from consuming the substance in their homes, the law does allow communities to opt out of allowing sales within their jurisdictions.
On Monday, that's just what happened in Marion, where the city council voted 4-1 on an ordinance prohibiting the operation of any cannabis-related business within the city.
"I find absolutely no redeeming quality in marijuana whatsoever, outside of medical use. I cannot support encouraging it," Marion Mayor Absher said at the meeting. "Are we giving up revenue? Probably. If I could put the gaming machines back in the box, I would, too. I do not see marijuana in the same vein at all. It's a drug with a slippery slope."
On Tuesday night, Murphysboro made the same move.
Mayor Will Stephens was forced into his role as the tie-breaker for the city council, casting the deciding "no" vote on allowing dispensaries in that city.
After the vote, Stephens called for more public feedback, saying he would ask the Jackson County Clerk's Office to have a cannabis-sales referendum put on the next election ballot.
"I think we ought to show consideration to the community by asking for a referendum," Stephens said.
• Reporter Curtis Winston contributed to this story.
